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Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has reiterated his support for the removal of petrol subsidy, arguing that alleged mismanagement of the proceeds from the policy should not be used as justification for its reversal.


Obi made his position known on Monday while speaking at a conference organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.


The former Anambra State governor said the removal of petrol subsidy, in itself, was not necessarily the problem, stressing that the major concern was how the resources and savings generated from the policy were being managed by the government.


According to Obi, returning to the subsidy regime would amount to addressing the wrong problem, rather than tackling the alleged mismanagement and lack of accountability surrounding the funds saved from the policy.


He maintained that government must ensure that resources freed from subsidy removal are transparently managed and channelled into productive sectors of the economy, including infrastructure, education, healthcare and other areas capable of improving the welfare of Nigerians.


Obi’s latest comments come amid continued debate over the economic consequences of the petrol subsidy removal, which has contributed to higher fuel prices and increased the cost of transportation and other essential goods and services.


The Federal Government has consistently defended the decision to remove the subsidy, arguing that the policy was fiscally unsustainable and that the resources previously spent on subsidising petrol could be redirected to development projects and social interventions.


However, critics have continued to demand greater transparency over the savings from subsidy removal, particularly as Nigerians grapple with the rising cost of living.


Obi, who was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has increasingly focused his political messaging on economic management, accountability, production and prudent use of public resources ahead of the 2027 general elections.


His latest position therefore places emphasis not on restoring the subsidy regime, but on ensuring that the government properly manages the funds generated from its removal and delivers tangible economic benefits to Nigerians.

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Tears and mourning enveloped Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday as family members, colleagues, friends and admirers gathered to bid a final farewell to veteran Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo.


The 66-year-old thespian was buried in his hometown according to Islamic rites, barely 24 hours after his death.


Footage from the funeral showed mourners carrying the actor’s remains to the burial ground, where prayers and other Islamic funeral rites were observed.


The burial attracted several prominent figures in the Yoruba film industry, including veteran actors Jide Kosoko, Faithia Balogun, Femi Adebayo, Mr Latin and Toyosi Adesanya.


Other colleagues, including Ireti Osayemi and Bisi Omo Logbalogba, were also present to honour the late actor and support his family during the difficult moment.


Ogogo’s longtime friend and colleague, Yinka Quadri, was visibly emotional at the funeral as he wept while mourners consoled him.


Actor Bola Oyin-Adejobi, speaking to journalists ahead of the burial, paid tribute to the late thespian and prayed that he would attain Al-Jannah Firdaus.


Ogogo’s death was announced on Sunday by fellow veteran actor Jide Kosoko, who revealed that his remains would be taken to Ilaro for a lying-in-state ceremony before his burial.


The Ilaro Muslim Community subsequently announced the funeral prayer for the veteran actor.


His death came shortly after his daughters, Kaira and Lima Taiwo, appealed to the public for assistance with their father’s medical treatment.


Kaira had revealed that doctors treating Ogogo, who was battling stage-four cancer, had informed the family that chemotherapy could no longer be administered due to his condition. The family subsequently began exploring alternative treatment options.


Ogogo was one of the prominent figures in Nigeria’s film industry, particularly in Yoruba-language cinema, where he built a remarkable career spanning decades.


His passing marks the end of an era for many fans and colleagues who remember him not only for his acting talent but also for his lasting contribution to the growth and popularity of Yoruba Nollywood.


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Vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso, has criticised the inclusion of senior government officials Zacch Adedeji and Taminu Yakubu in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council ahead of the 2027 general election.


The APC on Saturday unveiled a 108-member campaign council for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, naming former Zamfara State governor and Senator representing Zamfara West, Abdulaziz Yari, as director-general and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as secretary.


The party also appointed Yakubu, director-general of the Budget Office of the Federation, as treasurer, while Adedeji, executive chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), was named deputy director of fundraising.


Reacting in a statement on Sunday, Kwankwaso said the appointments raise questions about the neutrality and independence expected of public institutions responsible for managing the country’s finances and revenue.


According to him, officials heading critical government agencies should be able to operate above partisan politics in order to maintain public confidence.


“The leadership of critical public institutions demands neutrality, integrity and public confidence. It is therefore legitimate to ask whether the responsibilities of senior officials entrusted with managing public revenue and national finances can appropriately coexist with senior partisan campaign roles,” Kwankwaso said.


He further described the composition of the campaign council as troubling given the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians.


Kwankwaso pointed to rising food prices, unemployment, insecurity and the pressure on businesses and farmers, arguing that millions of Nigerians continue to struggle while essential sectors such as education and healthcare remain under strain.


He urged Nigerians to reject what he described as “continued oppression” and demand governance that is accountable and focused on improving the welfare of citizens.


The NDC vice-presidential candidate also appealed to Yari to reconsider his decision to lead the APC campaign council, saying the former governor understands the challenges facing the people of Zamfara and the wider North-West.


Kwankwaso argued that Yari, having served as governor of Zamfara, would be familiar with the effects of insecurity, poverty, unemployment, displacement and the destruction of livelihoods in the region.


“I therefore will be surprised if, in his good conscience, he will lead a campaign whose principal objective is to secure the continuation of a government under which many of the people he once governed, and other innocent Nigerians, remain trapped in these challenges,” he said.


Kwankwaso further framed the 2027 election as a contest between Nigerians struggling with hardship and those he accused of benefiting from the system responsible for the country’s current challenges.


He said the election would be “a struggle between the oppressed Nigerian masses and those who have benefited from, defended and sustained the system responsible for their hardship.”


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Senator Ali Ndume, a former Senate Leader and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has urged opposition parties to stop dwelling on President Bola Tinubu’s academic credentials and instead focus on presenting Nigerians with credible policies and alternative ideas ahead of the 2027 presidential election.


Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, said opposition presidential candidates should concentrate on explaining how they would govern differently and address the country’s economic and security challenges.


His comments come amid renewed debate among some opposition figures over President Tinubu’s educational credentials, particularly the absence of entries for his primary and secondary education in documents submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).


Tinubu’s submission lists a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University, obtained in 1979, alongside copies of his certificate and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.


Ndume Defends Tinubu’s Qualification

Ndume argued that the Nigerian Constitution does not specifically require a secondary school certificate as the only qualification for meeting the minimum educational requirement to contest the presidency.


According to him, the 1999 Constitution provides that a presidential candidate must have been educated to at least “school certificate level or its equivalent.”


“The constitution only establishes a minimum educational threshold, but it does not insist on the particularity of a secondary school certificate as the only means by which that threshold can be met,” Ndume said in a statement.


‘Focus on What You Can Do Better’

The senator described the continued focus on Tinubu’s certificate as a distraction from issues that should dominate the 2027 election campaign.


Ndume challenged opposition parties and their presidential candidates to explain what they would do differently if elected and how their policies would improve the lives of Nigerians.


“The narrative around his certificate, in my opinion, is distracting,” he said.


“What opposition parties’ presidential candidates and their spokespersons should focus on are their alternative economic policies, if they have any. What can they do better than President Tinubu? They should come out and tell Nigerians.”


He urged opposition parties to scrutinise the Tinubu administration’s economic policies and record on insecurity while also offering practical alternatives to voters.


“It is his economic policies and how his administration has been able to tackle insecurity with landmark success that they should try and interrogate,” Ndume said.


2027 Campaign Should Focus on Performance

Ndume further argued that with Tinubu having spent more than three years in office, the president’s performance should be at the centre of the 2027 political debate.


“He has been in office for over three years now. So, how can the narrative around his certificates be the focus of his challengers?” he asked.


The senator called on opposition parties to raise the quality of political discourse and move the 2027 campaign “beyond the mundane.”


He said Nigerians should be presented with competing ideas, economic programmes and clear solutions to the country’s challenges rather than campaigns dominated by controversies over academic credentials.


As political parties prepare for the 2027 presidential election, the debate is expected to increasingly centre on the economy, insecurity, unemployment, poverty and other issues likely to shape voters’ decisions.


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Former Adamawa State Governor, Senator Jibrilla Umar Bindow, has returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC), ending his brief political sojourn outside the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.


Bindow formally rejoined the APC on Sunday after completing his re-registration at his polling unit in Mubi, Adamawa State, in a move that could reshape political alignments in the state as parties begin preparations for the next electoral cycle.


The former governor, who governed Adamawa between 2015 and 2019, said his decision to return followed extensive consultations with political associates, supporters and trusted confidants.


He also disclosed that he consulted Vice-President Kashim Shettima, whom he described as a brother and close confidant, before making the decision.


Bindow’s return comes at a time when political parties and major stakeholders are already repositioning ahead of the 2027 elections, with the APC seeking to strengthen its structures and consolidate its presence across the country.


Why Bindow Left APC


Bindow was elected governor of Adamawa State on the APC platform in 2015 after defeating the incumbent administration’s candidate in an election that marked a major political breakthrough for the party in the state.


He secured the APC governorship ticket again in 2019 but lost his bid for a second term to Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).


His relationship with the APC subsequently deteriorated, particularly following the party’s internal political developments ahead of the 2023 elections.


Bindow eventually resigned his membership of the APC in January 2023 after losing the party’s governorship ticket.


His departure came amid wider realignments within the party as politicians across the country responded to the emergence of candidates for the 2023 general elections.


Return After Political Realignment


Bindow’s return to the APC signals another major political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections.


Before his latest return, the former governor had explored other political options and expressed interest in contesting the Adamawa governorship election in 2027 on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).


He, however, withdrew from the race in May, paving the way for his latest political decision.


Explaining his return to the APC, Bindow said his decision was not driven by personal ambition or an attempt to create another political faction, but by a desire to contribute to the strengthening of the party.


He also emphasised that he had consistently respected party discipline and had avoided actions that could be interpreted as working against the interests of the party.


“I am back to the APC not to divide, but to contribute; not to fight, but to build; and above all, to work with the party and its candidates toward victory,” he said.


Meeting With Tinubu


Bindow also referred to his recent meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the encounter as “pleasant and memorable.”


Although he did not disclose details of his discussions with the President, Bindow’s comments indicate that his return to the APC followed engagements with senior political figures at the national level.


He pledged to support APC candidates in Adamawa State and work towards the party’s success in the 2027 general elections.


The former governor said his priority was now to contribute to the party’s growth and electoral fortunes rather than pursue personal political interests.


Shettima Consultation


Bindow also confirmed that he consulted Vice-President Kashim Shettima before taking the decision to return to the APC.


Shettima, who hails from Borno State in the North-East, has maintained longstanding political relationships across the region, while Bindow was also a prominent APC figure in Adamawa during the party’s formative years in the state.


Bindow described the Vice-President as a “brother and confidant,” suggesting that their discussions played a significant role in his decision to return to the ruling party.


His re-entry could therefore have implications beyond his personal political career, particularly as the APC intensifies efforts to consolidate its structures in the North-East ahead of 2027.


Implications for Adamawa Politics


Bindow’s return is expected to generate fresh conversations within the Adamawa political landscape.


The former governor remains an influential figure among APC members and supporters in the state, having previously led the party’s administration for four years.


His return could strengthen the APC’s efforts to rebuild its grassroots structures in Adamawa, where the PDP has maintained significant political influence.


The former governor’s decision also comes against the backdrop of growing political realignments ahead of 2027, with politicians across the country moving between parties and political platforms as preparations for the elections gather momentum.


For the APC, Bindow’s return provides an opportunity to bring back a former governor and prominent party figure who has experience in grassroots mobilisation and governance.


For Bindow, the move marks a return to the political platform on which he rose to become governor and could place him at the centre of future negotiations and mobilisation efforts within the party.


With the 2027 elections still ahead, it remains to be seen what specific role Bindow will play in the APC’s campaign structure in Adamawa. For now, the former governor has made his position clear: he intends to work with the party, support its candidates and contribute to its efforts to secure electoral victory in 2027.


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Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Federal Government of applying a double standard in its petrol subsidy policy, alleging that petroleum companies receive generous fiscal incentives while ordinary Nigerians continue to bear the burden of rising fuel prices.


Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, made the allegation in a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.


He questioned the government’s decision to abolish petrol subsidies while continuing to offer tax credits, concessions and other incentives to investors in the oil and gas sector.


According to Atiku, Nigerians were told that removing the subsidy was necessary to reform the economy, but the government allegedly takes a different approach when dealing with major oil investors.


“Nigerians were told there was no alternative and that enduring this pain was the necessary price of economic reform. But when major oil investors knock on Tinubu’s door, the sermon changes,” he said.


Atiku specifically cited the Federal Government’s deep offshore oil and gas incentives framework, which he said provides eligible projects with production tax credits of between $3 and $4.50 per barrel, with additional incentives capable of taking the total benefit to as much as $11.50 per barrel under certain conditions.


He therefore questioned why government intervention was considered undesirable when aimed at helping consumers but acceptable when it benefits investors.


“So, what exactly is Tinubu’s objection: government intervention itself, or government intervention for Nigerians?” Atiku asked.


Atiku Questions ‘Subsidy-Free’ Claim

The former vice-president also challenged the Federal Government’s claim that petrol subsidy had been completely eliminated.


He referred to the audited accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which, according to him, recorded about N4.84 trillion in energy-security expenses and related shortfalls in 2023 and approximately N7.13 trillion in 2024.


Atiku said NNPCL had attributed part of the expenditure to the gap between the exchange rate used to determine the regulated PMS ex-coastal price and the prevailing exchange rate when import obligations were settled.


He questioned why such huge public funds were still being spent to bridge pricing gaps if Nigerians were already paying market-driven petrol prices.


“So, where exactly did the subsidy go?” Atiku asked, arguing that changing the terminology to “under-recovery”, “shortfall” or “energy security” did not change the fact that public resources were being used to cover the difference between the economic cost of petrol and its selling price.


‘We’re Not Returning to the Old Subsidy Regime’

Atiku also clarified his position on his proposal to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.


He said his proposed intervention would not amount to a return to the previous open-ended and opaque subsidy system.


Instead, he said his administration would introduce a targeted and capped programme that would be transparently budgeted and independently audited, while linking the intervention to increased domestic production.


He also proposed measures aimed at expanding refining capacity, promoting competition and improving the purchasing power of households.


“You cannot subsidise capital and criminalise relief for citizens. You cannot offer cushions upstairs and call suffering downstairs reform,” Atiku said.


The ADC candidate further called for greater transparency surrounding tax credits, remissions and other incentives granted to petroleum companies.


He demanded disclosure of the beneficiaries of such incentives, the amount of government revenue forgone and the investments delivered in return.


Atiku also argued that Nigerian investors should have equal and transparent access to similar incentives.


He maintained that the success of economic reforms should ultimately be judged by whether they improve the living standards of Nigerians rather than by the level of hardship citizens are forced to endure.


His comments come days after he said he would restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.


President Bola Tinubu has, however, criticised Atiku’s position, describing the former vice-president as “ignorant of governance and the economy.”


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The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro, has called on the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) to intensify its mobilisation efforts in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for a second term in office, saying the President’s re-election is in the strategic interest of the Ijaw people and the wider Niger Delta region.


A statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator Presidential Amnesty Programme , Mr Igoniko Oduma Stated that Otuaro made the call when the newly inaugurated 10th leadership of the IYC, led by its President, Dr Doubra Okotete, paid a courtesy visit to the PAP Administrator at his office in Abuja at the weekend.


The PAP boss urged the new IYC leadership to prioritise unity, peace and collective interests as the 2027 general elections approach, warning that the region must guard against internal divisions and political distractions that could undermine its ability to advance its interests at the national level.


He specifically appealed to the council to rally Ijaw youths and other stakeholders behind President Tinubu, arguing that continued engagement and strategic partnership with the Federal Government would serve the long-term interests of the Niger Delta.


“My appeal to the IYC is that nothing should divide us. 2027 is already here. Let us back the President and mobilise for him to win a second term.


“We should not allow anybody to cause division among us or trade us for a new hope. It is within the Ijaw strategic national interest to support the President to secure victory,” Otuaro said.


PAP’s Peacebuilding Efforts


Otuaro also used the occasion to commend the IYC and other stakeholders across the Niger Delta for what he described as their consistent cooperation and support for the peacebuilding initiatives of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.


He said the cooperation of traditional leaders, youth organisations, community stakeholders and other well-meaning individuals had contributed significantly to the efforts to sustain peace and stability in the region.


According to him, the support has become particularly important as the PAP implements reforms aimed at strengthening human capital development, education, empowerment and other interventions designed to provide young people of the Niger Delta with opportunities for a better future.


“Many well-meaning stakeholders of the Niger Delta, including the IYC, are in support of the direction we have taken.


“Their support and cooperation have been massive and encouraging, working together with the Office to sustain peace and stability, and preparing generations for a greater tomorrow in the Niger Delta through huge scholarship opportunities,” he said.


The Administrator noted that the peace and stability currently being consolidated in the region could not be sustained by government alone, stressing that cooperation among government institutions, youth organisations and community stakeholders remained essential.


Scholarship Expansion


Otuaro also highlighted the expansion of the PAP scholarship programme as one of the major areas of intervention under his administration.


He disclosed that about 8,700 Niger Delta youths are currently studying in institutions within Nigeria, while more than 270 beneficiaries have been deployed to universities and other higher institutions outside the country.


He added that the programme had continued to expand, with 93 beneficiaries deployed in January and May, while another 150 beneficiaries were scheduled to be dispatched to institutions abroad in August and September.


According to him, the expansion of the scholarship programme is part of a broader strategy to equip young people from the Niger Delta with the education, skills and qualifications required to compete effectively in an increasingly competitive global environment.


He said the initiative was also designed to contribute to long-term peace by addressing some of the underlying socioeconomic challenges confronting young people in the oil-producing region.


The PAP Administrator said only a few individuals, whom he described as selfish interests, remained unhappy with the reforms and the “sanity” that had been introduced into the programme, particularly in the area of scholarship administration and the deployment of beneficiaries to reputable onshore and offshore institutions.


Otuaro said the reforms were being implemented in the overall interest of the Niger Delta and future generations of the region.


Tinubu, Ribadu Back PAP Reforms


The PAP Administrator further stated that President Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, had expressed satisfaction with the programme’s efforts to consolidate sustainable peace in the Niger Delta.


He said the Federal Government was particularly encouraged by the progress being recorded in the education and human-capital development components of the programme.


Otuaro maintained that the peacebuilding efforts of the PAP were not only about addressing immediate security concerns but also about creating sustainable opportunities that would reduce youth restiveness and strengthen the region’s human capital.


He thanked the IYC leadership for the courtesy visit and reiterated that maintaining peace and stability in the Niger Delta remained a collective responsibility.


IYC Commends Otuaro


Earlier, the IYC President, Dr Doubra Okotete, explained that the delegation’s visit was primarily to acknowledge what he described as the “unprecedented success” recorded by the Presidential Amnesty Programme in the areas of education and empowerment of Niger Delta youths under Otuaro’s leadership.


Okotete commended the PAP Administrator for his commitment to the development of young people in the region, particularly his efforts to expand access to quality education through the scholarship programme.


He also praised what he described as the judicious application of funds under the programme, saying the initiative had enabled thousands of Niger Delta youths to access educational opportunities that would otherwise have been difficult to obtain.


The IYC President expressed the council’s readiness to strengthen its relationship with the Presidential Amnesty Programme and collaborate with the office in areas that would further promote peace, youth development, education and empowerment across the Niger Delta.


He said the new IYC leadership was prepared to explore additional areas of partnership with the PAP in order to advance the interests of the Ijaw people and the wider Niger Delta.


The meeting underscored the growing importance of collaboration between government institutions and youth organisations in sustaining peace, expanding economic and educational opportunities and ensuring that the Niger Delta remains a key partner in Nigeria’s national development.


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The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Abdul’aziz Yari, has assured Nigerians that the ruling party will honour the promises it made during the 2023 election as it begins preparations for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.


Yari spoke on Sunday after arriving at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja from an overseas trip, where he was welcomed by party supporters, associates and well-wishers.


Addressing journalists and supporters at the airport, the former Zamfara State governor said the APC remained committed to its pledges to Nigerians, insisting that the party would not abandon the promises made during the last presidential campaign.


“I want to assure Nigerians that whatever promise we made during the campaign, we shall keep. Today we have seen him [Bola Ahmed Tinubu] as President, and by God’s grace he shall be the President come 2027,” Yari said.


The Zamfara West Senatorial District representative described the reception as a demonstration of the confidence supporters have in President Tinubu and the APC.


He thanked those who came to receive him and urged party members to continue supporting the President and working for the success of the administration.


“The crowd is here to pray for me and for the success of Mr President. Our party is synonymous with keeping our word. We pray that Almighty Allah will give him the wisdom to lead this country. We assure Nigerians that we shall fulfil all our campaign promises,” he said.


Yari also expressed optimism that the APC would retain power beyond Tinubu’s second term, calling on party members to strengthen the party’s structures nationwide.


“We pray that our party will continue to be the party to lead the country after President Tinubu’s second term,” he added.


His comments come as the APC intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the party expected to highlight the Tinubu administration’s policies and achievements as it seeks to secure another presidential victory.


The party formally announced Yari’s appointment as Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council on Saturday, placing him at the centre of its efforts to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election.


Yari brings significant political experience to the campaign team, having served as governor of Zamfara State and later as chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.


As the campaign structure takes shape, his responsibilities are expected to include coordinating the presidential campaign, mobilising party structures across the country and communicating the administration’s policies and achievements to voters.


The APC, which has held the presidency since 2015, is expected to face a stronger challenge from opposition parties in 2027, with efforts already underway to build political alliances capable of challenging its dominance.


For the ruling party, a major task ahead will be translating the administration’s economic and social policies into a campaign message capable of connecting with Nigerians as the country moves towards another presidential election.


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A fresh wave of suspected bandit attacks has unsettled communities across Kwara State, with a traditional ruler, the first wife of a Baale and several other residents reportedly abducted in separate incidents.


The attacks, which occurred between Friday night and Saturday, were recorded in communities across Kwara South and Kwara North, heightening fears among residents already grappling with repeated cases of kidnapping and insecurity.


In Dabu, Ifelodun Local Government Area, gunmen reportedly invaded the community on Friday night and abducted the first wife of the Baale, popularly known as Iya Ayoka.


The Kwara South Development Forum, KSDF, has called for her immediate rescue, saying residents are no longer in a position to raise money to pay ransom for kidnapped victims.


In a statement issued on Sunday, the forum’s Secretary, Olasehinde Oluwatoba, on behalf of its Convener, Obashola Ridwan, said the latest incident had added to the hardship faced by communities in the area.


“We are not ready to pay a dime. The government needs to bring her back to us,” the group said.


According to the forum, Iya Ayoka has supported residents in the area during a difficult period marked by the closure of markets and the abandonment of some nearby communities.


The group said repeated kidnappings had also exhausted residents financially, as many families had previously contributed money towards the payment of ransom for victims.


“Many are begging for food. We have used all our money to pay ransom, so we are tired,” the forum said.


The organisation further alleged that some residents who had fled their communities because of insecurity had only recently begun returning when the latest attacks occurred.


It warned that continued attacks could force residents to abandon their homes again if urgent security measures were not taken.


The KSDF also renewed its appeal for the rescue of 23-year-old Babatunde Fasilat, who has reportedly remained in captivity following an earlier attack on Wande community.


Fasilat was allegedly abducted after armed men attacked the community and shot her father, who attempted to resist them.


A source familiar with the incident, who spoke anonymously, said four gunmen invaded the community and went into Fasilat’s room after shooting her father.


“Her father was shot, and the bullet penetrated the other side of his body. The bandits were four. While her father was trying to defend himself, they went to her room and kidnapped her,” the source said.


The exact date of the Wande attack could not be independently established, as sources gave different dates, including July 15 and July 26.


The KSDF alleged that the abductors were demanding N20m for Fasilat’s release and had allegedly been using her TikTok account to contact people and post messages while pressing their ransom demand.


The group said Fasilat’s father sustained serious injuries during the attack and had since been battling health complications while the family struggled to secure his daughter’s release.


Monarch reportedly abducted

In another incident in Kwara South, armed men reportedly abducted the traditional ruler of Igbesi land after invading the community on Saturday.


Igbesi is located within Oke-Onigbin in Isin Local Government Area.


Although details remained sketchy, a community elder said the attackers stormed the area, fired several shots and took the monarch into the bush.


The reported incident is the latest in a series of attacks involving traditional institutions in the state.


In April, suspected bandits reportedly abducted the traditional ruler of Olayinka community in Ifelodun LGA, Oba Salman Aweda, alongside his wife and another resident during a midnight attack.


Two attacks reported in Kwara North

While communities in Kwara South dealt with the latest incidents, gunmen also reportedly attacked communities in Edu Local Government Area in the northern part of the state.


At a filling station in Kokona village, also known as Yana Tsonga, in the Tsaragi district, gunmen reportedly abducted two people on Friday night.


One of the victims was said to be a final-year student of Adesina College of Education who had visited the filling station as part of activities marking her sign-out.


The second victim was reportedly a female employee of the station, although accounts differed over whether both victims were workers at the facility.


Their identities could not be independently confirmed.


Less than 24 hours later, another attack was reported in Wodata Rumallan, also known as Gidan Panu, in the Lafiagi area of Edu LGA.


A resident identified as Musa said gunmen stormed the community at about 9:17pm on Saturday and opened fire, sending residents into panic.


A child, identified as Rukayat, and her stepmother, Hazare, were reportedly missing after the attack.


A community leader said soldiers arrived about an hour after the gunmen left, but the number of casualties remained unclear as residents continued efforts to establish what happened.


The incident marked the second reported attack in Edu LGA within 24 hours.


Calls for urgent security intervention

The latest attacks have renewed concerns about the deteriorating security situation in parts of Kwara, particularly rural communities vulnerable to armed groups.


The Kwara South Development Forum appealed to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue all those in captivity.


“We are calling on the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and security agencies to immediately secure the release of all abducted victims in Kwara South and put an end to insecurity in the region,” the group said.


It also urged security agencies to expand operations into forests and other areas suspected to be hideouts for the attackers.


The forum further criticised what it described as inadequate response to repeated appeals for intervention, alleging that its concerns to the Ifelodun Local Government chairman had not produced the desired results.


It also accused the state government of attempting to discourage public discussion of the attacks.


Efforts to obtain a response from the Kwara State Police Command were unsuccessful. Calls and a text message sent to the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, seeking clarification on the reported incidents had not received a response as of press time.


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Seven people have lost their lives in a fatal road crash along the Bida-Kutigi Road in Niger State.


The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the incident, which occurred on Sunday afternoon at Shebe village, a few kilometres from Kutigi.


The Niger Sector Commander of the FRSC, Corps Commander Aishatu Sa’adu, said the crash involved a Mazda vehicle and a Siena bus travelling along the busy route.


According to her, 18 people were involved in the accident. Seven died at the scene, seven others sustained injuries, while four escaped unhurt.


“Seven people lost their lives, seven others were injured while four were rescued without injuries, bringing the total involved to 18,” Sa’adu said.


She added that the injured victims were taken to Kutigi General Hospital for treatment, while the remains of those who died were deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.


The identities of the victims were yet to be released as of the time of filing this report.


The FRSC has not disclosed the immediate cause of the collision, while investigations are expected to determine the circumstances that led to the crash.


The incident has renewed concerns over road safety along the Bida-Kutigi corridor, which connects several communities and carries significant passenger traffic. (NAN)

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The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kano Sector Command, has rescued 15 persons following a lone road traffic crash involving a DAF trailer with an unknown registration number on Kano-Zaria Road.


The corps said the accident occurred at Gadan Yankifi early Sunday morning.


The Sector Commander of the corps, Idris Lawal, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen by the Sector Public Education Officer, Abdullahi Labaran, on Sunday in Kano.


Lawal said: “We received a distress call in the early hours of Sunday at about 5:00 a.m. from a concerned member of the public.


“Upon receiving the report, we immediately mobilised our rescue team to the scene within five minutes.


“The crash involved a DAF trailer conveying passengers and goods.


“15 victims were evacuated to Kura General Hospital for medical attention. No death was recorded in the crash.”


He advised motorists plying the Kano-Zaria Road to exercise patience, reduce speed when approaching the affected area, and obey traffic rules and regulations.


The sector commander also urged motorists to cooperate with FRSC personnel and other emergency responders at the scene.


Lawal assured the general public that efforts were ongoing to completely clear the obstruction and restore normal traffic flow. (NAN)


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The Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) has taken a major step in advancing fertility care with the commencement of In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) services at the institution.


The development marks a significant milestone for the hospital and is expected to make assisted reproductive services more accessible to couples struggling with infertility in Kano and surrounding communities.


Dr Ibrahim Rais, Chief Consultant Gynaecologist and IVF Specialist at AKTH, announced the development in a video shared on the hospital’s official Facebook page.


According to him, the hospital’s reproductive health team has successfully carried out its first egg collection from two women, while semen samples were obtained from their husbands as part of the next stage of the IVF process.


“Today marks a great milestone in the history of AKTH and the IVF service provision in the institution,” Rais said.


He credited the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Abdulrahman Sheshe, and his team for their efforts in making the development possible.


Rais explained that the collected eggs would be fertilised with the husbands’ sperm, with embryologists currently working to facilitate the fertilisation process and development of embryos.


He added that the hospital had already extracted more than a dozen eggs and planned to continue the procedure with additional patients in the coming days.


“We are going to continue the service provision with three more patients, and then we cap it up on Sunday with the last patient,” he said.


Beyond providing treatment to couples seeking to have children, Rais said the introduction of IVF would position AKTH as an important centre for advanced reproductive medicine, training and specialist services.


He noted that the facility would help bring IVF services closer to the growing number of Nigerians seeking assisted reproductive treatment while also serving as a centre of excellence for training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine.


“We have extracted more than a dozen eggs for now. Embryologists are working assiduously to ensure that there is fertilisation by sperm of the patients that had the procedure.


“We will go on to get more eggs that will generate more embryos and translate to potentially more Nigerians,” he added.


In a separate statement on its official social media handle, AKTH said the achievement was made possible through the collaborative efforts of its staff, specialist reproductive health experts from Jos and Abuja, as well as two embryologists.


The hospital described the commencement of IVF services as a significant development in its efforts to expand advanced fertility care and bring renewed hope to couples facing infertility.


The management subsequently congratulated the entire AKTH team and all specialists involved in achieving the milestone. (NAN)

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Vice-presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Democratic Party (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has called on former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, to reconsider his decision to serve as Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.


Kwankwaso, in a statement issued on Sunday, described the composition of the APC campaign council as a clear indication that the 2027 election would be a contest between those seeking to retain the current administration and Nigerians demanding a change in leadership.


He argued that several members of the council had either supported, defended or actively participated in President Bola Tinubu’s administration, raising questions about whether the APC was offering a fresh political direction or seeking to extend the policies of the current government.


According to Kwankwaso, Nigerians are grappling with rising food prices, unemployment, insecurity, declining economic opportunities and growing difficulties faced by farmers and businesses.


He described the 2027 election as a struggle between ordinary Nigerians suffering the effects of economic hardship and political actors who, he alleged, had benefited from or defended the system responsible for the situation.


Kwankwaso therefore urged Nigerians to use the election to demand what he described as accountable, responsive and people-centred governance.


“If Osun people can do it, so can all other parts of the country,” he said.


Turning specifically to Yari, Kwankwaso appealed to the former governor to reconsider his decision to lead the APC presidential campaign, urging him to reflect on the consequences of the administration he would be campaigning to retain.


“I particularly appeal to my brother, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, who has accepted to serve as Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, to reflect deeply and reconsider accepting this responsibility,” he said.


Kwankwaso noted that Yari’s experience as a former governor should give him an understanding of the challenges confronting the North-West, including insecurity, poverty, unemployment, displacement and the destruction of livelihoods.


He questioned whether Yari could comfortably lead a campaign for the continuation of an administration under which many Nigerians, particularly in the region, continue to face those challenges.


The NNPP chieftain also questioned the reported involvement of the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr Zacch Adedeji, and the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Dr Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi, in the campaign’s fundraising and finance structures.


He argued that officials heading critical public institutions must maintain neutrality and protect public confidence, particularly where public revenue and national finances are concerned.


Kwankwaso called on the Federal Government and the APC to explain how the participation of senior officials in partisan campaign structures could be reconciled with the principles of institutional neutrality and public trust.


Despite his criticism, he maintained that the final decision in 2027 would rest with voters.


“Ultimately, no campaign council is more powerful than the Nigerian people,” Kwankwaso said.

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The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his promise to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.


Yilwatda described the proposal as an indication of “desperation for power”, arguing that reversing the subsidy removal without a sustainable alternative could expose the Nigerian economy to renewed fiscal pressure.


In a statement issued on Sunday by his media aide, Abimbola Tooki, the APC chairman questioned the timing of Atiku’s proposal, noting that the former vice-president had previously supported the removal of the subsidy.


Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), recently said he would restore the petrol subsidy if elected in 2027.


Speaking in Hausa during an interview with an ADC media group, Atiku criticised the Tinubu administration for failing to adequately account for the funds saved from the removal of the subsidy.


He said the savings were expected to be used to reduce poverty and improve access to education.


Atiku also promised that those found to have misappropriated the funds would be made to refund the money.


The statement has since generated reactions, with critics pointing to Atiku’s previous position on petrol subsidy during the 2023 presidential campaign.


President Bola Tinubu also faulted the proposal, describing it as evidence of a lack of understanding of governance and economic realities.


Reacting to the development during a visit to the headquarters of the City Boy Movement in Abuja on Saturday, Yilwatda said Nigerians should demand more than election-season promises from politicians seeking to govern the country.


He argued that any proposal to reintroduce subsidy must be subjected to serious economic scrutiny, particularly given the financial burden the policy previously placed on government.


“Economic policy cannot be reduced to election-season promises,” Yilwatda said.


According to him, Nigerians deserve to know how a renewed subsidy regime would be funded, which sectors would bear the cost and whether the policy could be sustained without recreating the fiscal challenges that prompted its removal.


The APC chairman maintained that removing the subsidy was a difficult but necessary decision, stressing that the focus should now be on measures that cushion its effects, expand social intervention and boost productive sectors of the economy.


He said genuine leadership requires the courage to take difficult decisions and explain them honestly to citizens, rather than offering attractive promises for electoral advantage.


Yilwatda further questioned the opposition’s policy direction, saying politicians seeking power must present Nigerians with clear and workable alternatives rather than simply promising to reverse unpopular reforms.


Nigerians Must Scrutinise Economic Plans

The APC chairman also called on Nigerians to examine the policy records and political consistency of presidential aspirants ahead of the 2027 elections.


He criticised what he described as ideological and organisational inconsistencies within the opposition, arguing that politicians who frequently move between political platforms may struggle to provide the stability needed to govern a complex country.


Yilwatda said President Tinubu had remained within the progressive political tradition throughout his political career, except during periods of political mergers, while Vice-President Kashim Shettima had also maintained a consistent political trajectory.


He defended the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, saying the government was taking steps to attract investment, strengthen domestic production and reduce dependence on unsustainable government interventions.


According to him, abruptly reversing the reforms without a credible alternative could weaken investor confidence and deepen pressure on government finances.


He therefore urged voters to look beyond campaign promises and examine the feasibility of the economic programmes being presented by those seeking the presidency.


Yilwatda also called for greater scrutiny of the records of political actors, including past controversies involving Atiku and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, particularly allegations relating to the privatisation exercise conducted during the Obasanjo administration.


He said accountability and economic governance should remain central issues in the 2027 election.


According to the APC chairman, the election should ultimately be about ideas, competence and credible alternatives rather than promises designed to provide short-term political appeal while creating long-term economic problems.


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Veteran Yoruba actor and filmmaker, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has reportedly died at the age of 66 after battling stage four cancer.


The actor was said to have passed away on Sunday following a deterioration in his health in recent weeks.


Reports of his death emerged after a video showing one of his daughters, Kira Taiwo, crying and apparently struggling to process the development surfaced online.


In the video, which was shared during an Instagram Live session, she was heard saying, “I need to call my sisters. I need to call my family.”


An announcement was also reportedly made by Sebilu Nnajat TV, a platform owned by Islamic cleric Sheikh Al-Fulanny, who is said to have close relationships with Muslim celebrities in the South-West.


The platform posted an emotional tribute which read, “Innalillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. At last, Ogogo is gone. May Allah grant him Jannatul Firdaus.”


The reported death came only days after the actor’s family and management disclosed that he was suffering from stage four cancer and required urgent medical attention.


His family had appealed for assistance in securing suitable medical treatment, stressing that they were seeking access to appropriate healthcare rather than monetary donations.


In an earlier video appeal, Ogogo’s daughter said the family only discovered the seriousness of his condition about three weeks earlier. She also appealed to hospitals and medical practitioners who could provide the required treatment to come forward.


The appeal generated significant public interest, with the actor’s management later saying that hundreds of people had indicated their willingness to assist with his treatment.


Veteran actor Jide Kosoko, speaking on behalf of the management team, said the large number of offers had presented challenges, particularly because Hassan was already receiving treatment in a hospital.


“We have received offers from more than 300, and even over 500 people, each sincerely believing that they have something that could help him,” Kosoko said.


He said moving the actor from his current location for treatment elsewhere was difficult because of his condition.


“It is extremely difficult to move him from the hospital to different locations at this stage of his treatment, especially considering the large number of people who have offered to help,” he said.


Kosoko subsequently urged Nigerians to continue praying for the actor, expressing optimism about his recovery at the time.


“Please, continue to pray with us. We believe strongly that, with your prayers, our prayers, and the mercy of Almighty God, Taye will come out of this situation successfully. There is nothing impossible before Almighty God,” he said.


The actor’s management had also thanked his colleagues, fans and well-wishers in Nigeria and beyond for the support shown during his health crisis.


News of the reported death has since generated widespread reactions, with fans and fellow entertainers taking to social media to mourn the veteran actor.


Hassan was a major personality in the Yoruba film industry, having built a career spanning several decades as an actor, filmmaker and director.


He began acting professionally in the 1980s and rose to prominence through his appearances in Yoruba-language productions, including the widely known film Owo Blow.


Over the years, Hassan established himself as one of the notable faces of Yoruba cinema, earning recognition for his distinctive acting style and contributions to Nigerian film and television.


(SAHARA REPORTERS)

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In our contemporary world, professionals are inundated with unending stories about how technological sophistication and advances could take away their crafts, particularly with the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. AI and robotics are sometimes portrayed as the factual Deus Ex Machina—the “god from the machine”—capable of literally multiplying wealth for those who possess these technologies.


We have similarly been inundated with fear-mongering tales that several of the skills we currently possess could be rendered obsolete by these scientifically advanced inventions, to the extent that even journalists and professionals and tradespeople such as chefs, drivers, typists, waiters, waitresses and bartenders have been told to prepare for redundancy. Some of the technology leaders funding these advances have also told us that the benefits of these inventions include the creation of enormous wealth.


As these fears grow over how artificial intelligence could reshape the job market and render many professionals redundant, the world’s richest technology leader, Elon Musk, has offered what one analyst described as a bold and controversial solution. Musk wrote on X: “Universal HIGH INCOME via checks issued by the Federal government is the best way to deal with unemployment caused by AI.”


Responding to one critic, Musk followed up with another claim: “AI/Robotics will mean everyone can have a penthouse if they want.” In the same breath, the technology mogul reasoned that output would be “orders of magnitude” higher, implying that scarcity would therefore cease to be a major concern.


Even the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the use of generative AI (GenAI) could decrease demand for some occupations, including transcriptionists and customer service representatives, over the decade ending in 2033.


But, as one might expect, the picture is considerably more complicated than that. The Bureau also estimates that the use of GenAI could increase demand for some professions, including software engineering, as workers will be needed to maintain the infrastructure upon which AI systems operate.


Experts, including economists and AI developers, have much to say about AI and the future of wealth. Their opinions touch on how much wealth AI and robotics will actually generate, the plausibility of universal basic income, and the future of employment.


The Catholic Church and the Ethics of Technology


The Catholic Church is obviously a major participant in the global conversation on science and technology, and the universal Church places considerable emphasis on ethics and morality in the evolution and development of science and innovation.


Pope Leo XIV has warned pointedly: “We must remain vigilant in this regard, lest innovation become another vehicle for ideological or economic colonialism.”


He has also warned against a subtle form of domination “when algorithms decide who is seen and who remains invisible, when digital platforms shape public discourse without accountability, and when the dignity of workers is subordinated to the optimization of systems.”


Family at the Heart of Legislation


For this reason, the Catholic Church proposes “the civilization of love” as a response to a “culture of power”, arguing that artificial intelligence should be governed through “charity, compassion and responsibility.”


The family, the Pope has said, is at the heart of this response because it is the first place where people learn “trust before calculation, generosity before competition, dialogue before division, and love before power.”


Pope Leo encouraged Catholic lawmakers to promote policies that “strengthen marriage and families”, support parents in “their educational mission” and enable young people to look to the future with confidence.


“Artificial intelligence must never be allowed to erode this primary cell of society—whether by reducing persons and relationships to data and simulations, by flooding young minds with content that distorts desire, or by economic models that make family life economically precarious,” he said.


The Human Limitations of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics


Recently, something happened in China that demonstrates how AI and robotics can only be as viable and effective as human beings allow them to be. The media reported that a bipedal Chinese humanoid robot, allegedly training for the World Humanoid Robot Games, went viral after losing control during a running test.


In a viral video shared by an X user, the robot can be seen running towards a barrier before crashing into it, with its body bending sharply at the waist and sparks coming from the machine.


The dramatic crash prompted social media users to describe the incident as the moment the “robot dies”. The incident reportedly occurred as robots prepared for the 2026 edition of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, China. The event, which commenced on August 22, was expected to showcase thousands of robots and hundreds of teams.


According to reports, the humanoid robot was participating in a training session for the running competition when it appeared to lose control. In the video, it can be seen running at high speed and failing to stop before hitting a safety barrier.


The impact caused the robot’s body to bend at the waist, while sparks could be seen coming from the machine. The video was subsequently shared widely on social media and attracted millions of views.


The incident, while amusing to many observers, also provides an opportunity for a more serious reflection. Artificial intelligence and robotics remain human inventions. Their development, deployment and regulation must therefore remain subject to human judgment, ethical considerations and the broader interests of society.


I want to think alongside what the Catholic Church has said about advances in technology, artificial intelligence and robotics. These technologies should be properly legislated and regulated, with family values, human dignity and the common good placed far above the pursuit of technological sophistication and automation.


Fear-Mongering, Ethics and AI/Robotics


An article published online in a journal concerned with digital technologies and law addresses some of the anxieties surrounding the ethics of digital technologies and the legal governance of AI and robotics.


I agree with the author’s central argument that the purpose of AI was never to harm humanity. Nor was it originally intended to replace human beings or take over the human world. Rather, AI was developed to augment human capabilities, assist scientific discoveries, support people during natural disasters and pandemics, and improve efficiency across numerous areas of human activity.


AI already has numerous applications that can benefit humanity. These include medical care, mechanical engineering, semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles, automated deliveries in difficult environments such as flood-affected areas, intelligent robotics in various industries, textile engineering, aviation, traffic management and space programmes, among many others.


However, the development of AI has now reached an unprecedented level, and it is increasingly capable of performing tasks traditionally carried out by human beings. Many jobs and workflows are already being transformed or displaced by AI. That development, however, should not necessarily become a source of paralysing fear.


Technological development has historically created new forms of employment even as it eliminated or transformed existing occupations. What remains unclear is the precise balance between jobs lost and new jobs created by the latest wave of automation, particularly because the long-term effects of AI are still unfolding.


This is how technological development has progressed since the Industrial Revolution. Moving into a new domain of work after technology has disrupted an established profession is certainly not easy. We can recall the transformation of the textile industry following computerisation, when many jobs disappeared or changed and affected workers had to adapt to new forms of employment.


Once one area of work becomes obsolete or is fundamentally transformed, another area of development often emerges. When mobile phones became widespread, traditional landline telephone services declined dramatically. Yet the mobile communications industry subsequently created employment for millions of people around the world, from telecommunications engineers and software developers to manufacturers, retailers and service providers.


The lesson, therefore, should not be that humanity must fear every technological advancement. Rather, we must insist that technological progress remains subordinate to human dignity, ethical responsibility and the common good.


AI and robotics can become instruments for human development rather than instruments of human displacement. But achieving that objective requires responsible regulation, ethical leadership and policies that ensure that the benefits of technological advancement are broadly shared.


This is where Pope Leo XIV’s emphasis on human dignity, family, responsibility and the common good becomes particularly relevant. The challenge before humanity is not simply whether machines will become more intelligent or capable. The greater question is whether human beings will remain wise enough to ensure that technological progress serves humanity rather than reducing human beings to mere components of an automated economic system.


Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko is the founder of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and a former National Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria.

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Businessman and socialite Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, has announced plans to gift Pastor Jerry Eze a house in celebration of the cleric’s 44th birthday.


Eze, the founder of Streams of Joy International and convener of New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations (NSPPD), marked his birthday on Saturday.


Obi Cubana disclosed the gesture in a social media post celebrating the pastor, whom he described as one of his “most amazing brothers.”


While praising Eze for his commitment to prayer and humanitarian service, the businessman said the property would be completed before the end of the year.


“Today, I present you this house that will be ready by December as an appreciation for all you do,” Iyiegbu said.


He explained that the gift was aimed at encouraging Eze’s continued efforts in serving humanity and advancing his ministry.


In a video posted alongside the announcement, Obi Cubana recalled that he had made a personal pledge earlier in the year after Eze visited one of his properties.


According to him, he had hoped to complete one of the buildings and present it to the pastor as a birthday gift.


“Looking at these beautiful edifices, you were here in January, and I made a silent prayer to God that by our next birthday I should be able to finish and gift you one.


“But looking at it, we are still working, and hopefully it will be done soon. And I make it bold to say today I am presenting one to you as a birthday gift for the work of God and for the service of mankind,” he said.


Eze, who turned 44 on Saturday, is known for leading Streams of Joy International and hosting NSPPD, a widely followed online prayer programme.


The cleric’s birthday has also prompted congratulatory messages from friends, followers and well-wishers on social media.

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Nigerian Army troops operating under the Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, have raided locations suspected to be hideouts of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.


The operation, conducted on Saturday, August 22, 2026, involved troops working alongside the military’s Maritime Component, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and members of the Anambra Vigilante Group.


A statement on the operation said the security team launched an early-morning assault on suspected camps in Obene and Abator villages, located within the Ochuche and Umunankwo communities.


According to the military, the troops came under attack shortly after reaching the locations, prompting suspected IPOB/ESN members to abandon their positions and flee into the surrounding area.


The troops reportedly engaged the fleeing suspects and commenced a pursuit.


The Army said bloodstains were later discovered along the escape route, indicating that some of the suspects may have suffered gunshot wounds during the confrontation.


One suspected member was reportedly killed during the operation, while another fleeing suspect was said to have escaped while carrying the body of a colleague who had also been killed.


The military said the operation resulted in the suspected camps being dislodged, thereby preventing the group from continuing to use the locations as bases for its activities.


During a search of the abandoned positions, the troops recovered two pump-action firearms, two motorcycles and materials suspected to be intended for the production of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), among other items.


The Army described the recovery of the explosive-making materials as an important achievement, saying the seizure would limit the group’s capacity to produce explosive devices that could be deployed against security personnel, infrastructure and civilians.


Following the raid, troops established positions around the affected communities and began additional searches aimed at locating fleeing suspects and stopping them from regrouping.


The Nigerian Army said it would sustain its collaboration with other security agencies under Operation UDO KA in efforts to dismantle terrorist and criminal networks operating in the South-East.


It added that the operations were designed to deny the groups safe havens, weaken their operational capabilities and strengthen security across communities in the region.

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The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) has reportedly eliminated 38 suspected terrorists during a series of precision air strikes carried out at different locations in Borno State.


The operations, conducted between the night of August 21 and the early hours of August 22, followed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities that detected movements of suspected terrorists in the areas.


The strikes were part of intensified military efforts to weaken terrorist formations and restrict their freedom of movement across the North-East.


According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, an armed reconnaissance aircraft was conducting operations over Aduwa at about 10:23pm on August 21 when intelligence indicated the presence of terrorist fighters and vehicles in the area.


The aircraft reportedly monitored the location and tracked the suspected terrorists to a settlement where about eight fighters were gathered, while other groups were seen at separate positions.


Following the required operational procedures and authorisation, the aircraft reportedly carried out a precision strike on the larger concentration.


A subsequent battle damage assessment indicated that the strike hit the intended target, killing suspected terrorists who were inside makeshift structures as well as others outside the huts.


The initial operation was estimated to have killed about 16 terrorists.


Makama further reported that around midnight, the aircraft resumed surveillance and located about 10 terrorists who had escaped from the first strike area and regrouped near a tree.


A second precision strike was subsequently conducted against the group.


The publication said a post-strike assessment showed that the weapon hit the intended target, with no movement detected around the area afterwards.


The military consequently assessed that the 10 suspected terrorists had been neutralised, bringing the estimated number killed in the two related strikes to 26.


In a separate operation around the Buratai axis, another precision strike aircraft reportedly tracked approximately 12 suspected terrorists who had gathered inside a hut.


The aircraft maintained surveillance over the location before receiving authorisation to engage the target.


At about 12:31am on August 22, the attack platform reportedly struck the identified location, recording a direct hit.


According to Makama, the operation was assessed to have neutralised all 12 suspected terrorists at the site.


The combined operations bring the reported number of terrorists killed in the air strikes to 38.

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The National Coordinator and Executive Director of the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, George Nwabueze, has rejected allegations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission that he is operating a fictitious federal agency.


Nwabueze, who spoke in response to the allegation, maintained that the Made in Nigeria Special Project Office is a project office domiciled within the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and has existed for 16 years.


The ICPC had alleged that President Bola Tinubu ordered Nwabueze’s arrest over his role in running and promoting the organisation, which the commission described as a fake federal agency. The anti-corruption body also claimed that the outfit was being operated with the support of some senior officials in the OSGF.


But Nwabueze, while responding to enquiries, disputed the allegation and insisted that the project office was officially established within the OSGF.


“Made in Nigeria Special Project Office is a project office in the OSGF. We don’t know where fake agency comes from. A programme that has been in the SGF’s office since 16 July 2010 was just discovered yesterday (Friday). After 16 years; Nigeria is a funny country.”


He made the statement while responding to enquiries on LinkedIn, where he had published a copy of his appointment letter as evidence to counter the allegation that the office was illegal.


The appointment letter, dated October 3, 2025, was purportedly issued by the OSGF and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Nadungu Gagare.


Addressed to “Hon. George Buchi Nwabueze, National Coordinator, Made in Nigeria Project Office, OSGF, Three Arms Zone, Abuja,” the letter conveyed approval for his appointment as National Coordinator/Executive Director of the Made in Nigeria Project Office under the OSGF.


The document stated that Nwabueze’s appointment was for a five-year term beginning from July 2025, with an option for renewal.


“I am directed to formally convey the approval of your appointment as National Coordinator/Executive Director of the Made in Nigeria Project Office under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,” the letter stated.


It added that the appointment followed “a careful evaluation of your commitment, contribution, and capacity in delivering on the mandate of the Special Project Office.”


Among the duties outlined in the letter were the supervision and development of programmes, projects and policies; coordination of regional and state coordinators across the 36 states; and the organisation of exhibitions, trade expos, economic summits and other initiatives designed to promote Nigerian products and services.


The document also stated that the project office would temporarily operate from Room B53, Ground Floor, within the OSGF complex.


“Please note that this appointment is at the pleasure of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and in line with the objectives of the Made in Nigeria initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the letter said.


Further documents posted by Nwabueze on LinkedIn indicated that the office had separately sought formal recognition as a Special Project.


A proposal dated April 17, 2025, and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, was addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.


Titled, ‘A proposal for the Made-in-Nigeria Project to be granted Special Project status’, the document said the initiative had been operating for about five years and had promoted locally produced Nigerian goods and services within and outside the country.


It also claimed that the initiative had organised economic forums and trade exhibitions in different parts of the world and contributed to the Nigerian economy, particularly through efforts aimed at attracting foreign direct investment.


The proposal listed job creation, economic expansion and poverty reduction among the anticipated gains of granting the project special status. It also projected that the initiative would support GDP growth by strengthening domestic industries and encouraging local production.


The document further argued that promoting locally manufactured goods would reduce reliance on imports, conserve foreign exchange and improve Nigeria’s trade balance.


It said the initiative was consistent with the Federal Government’s policy of diversifying the economy, reducing dependence on crude oil and strengthening the non-oil sector.


The Permanent Secretary subsequently asked the SGF to consider the proposal, stating that special project status would improve the initiative’s credibility and effectiveness.


The controversy followed a disclosure by the ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN, who identified the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office among the outfits uncovered during the commission’s investigation into the alleged fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.


Aliyu said investigators came across the office while examining the PFIPC and what he described as weaknesses in public service procedures.


According to the ICPC chairman, the office had been allocated space within the OSGF premises without presidential approval. He also identified Prince George Buchi Nwabueze as the promoter of the outfit and alleged that he operated under different versions of his name with the backing of some senior OSGF officials.


The documents released by Nwabueze, however, appear to challenge the assertion that the project office lacked official backing.


One of the materials published on the organisation’s LinkedIn page contained details of a stakeholders’ engagement in Nasarawa State involving Governor Abdullahi Sule.


In the report, Sule said the state had adopted the Federal Government’s Made-in-Nigeria initiative and made provision for it in the state’s 2026 budget.


“For us in Nasarawa State, we have since domesticated this initiative of the Federal Government in our solemn commitment to promote local contents and have value for resources abound in our dear state,” Sule was quoted as saying.


“I’m happy to inform you that we did not only domesticate this project, but we also accord special attention to its operationalisation by including it in our 2026 budget,” he added.


The report also quoted Nwabueze as saying the initiative was domiciled in the OSGF and had responsibility for promoting Nigeria’s national brand.


The organisation’s website listed “Nwabueze George” as “Executive Director, National Coordinator” and featured a structure comprising national, zonal and state coordinators.


Amid the conflicting claims, a staff member of the OSGF said that the office had not been operational for several months.


“It was not operating as an agency but I know was under investigation… The office was shut months ago,” the source said.


The conflicting accounts have raised questions about the exact status of the project office, its authorisation and its relationship with the OSGF.


While the ICPC maintains that the office was allocated space in the OSGF without presidential approval, Nwabueze’s documents include an appointment letter purportedly issued by the OSGF confirming his appointment to head the project office.


Meanwhile, police sources said the force had not received an official briefing concerning the matter.


According to the sources, the police would only commence a manhunt for the suspect after receiving a formal briefing on the case.


(PUNCH)

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