TRENDING NOW

Recent Post Recent Post
View More

at
Mr. Lexy Mojo-Eye, Chief Executive Officer of Legendary Gold Limited renowned organizers of Africa Celebrates, Africa Fashion Reception, Nigeria Fashion Week, Nigeria Fashion Awards and so on, recently paid a strategic visit to Avada Couture and Academy as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration within Nigeria’s fashion and creative industry.

Mr. Lexy Mojo-Eye was accompanied by Ambassador Desmond Agboola, Chief Executive Officer of ASo Multi Media, and Ambassador Kingsley Tolulope Agboola, Executive Director of ASo Multi Media. The delegation was warmly received by Hajia Dr. Aisha Lami Abdulsalam, Chief Executive Officer of Avada Couture and Academy.

During the visit, Mr. Lexy Mojo-Eye toured the fashion house and academy, where he expressed strong admiration for the quality of production, craftsmanship, and creative standards evident in Avada Couture’s operations. He commended the institution for its dedication to excellence and capacity development in the fashion sector.

Impressed by the level of professionalism and innovation, Mr. Lexy Mojo-Eye pledged to spotlight Avada Couture and Academy on international platforms and explore collaborative opportunities that would enhance the brand’s global visibility and market access.

In her remarks, Hajia Dr. Aisha Lami Abdulsalam appreciated the visit and reaffirmed Avada Couture and Academy’s commitment to innovation, quality production, and the grooming of emerging fashion talents.

Avada Couture and Academy is currently preparing to participate in the Nigeria Fashion Week and the Nigeria Fashion Awards 2026, scheduled to hold later in the year in Abuja, as the brand continues to position itself as a leading force in Nigeria’s fashion industry.

The visit highlights the growing synergy between fashion institutions, media organizations, and industry leaders working together to promote Nigerian fashion on the global stage




Continue reading

at
A hospitality brand, 168Apartments, has unveiled a new luxury short-let property in Abuja, expanding premium accommodation options within the Federal Capital Territory.

The newly opened facility, located at Plot 168 Goodluck Jonathan Expressway by Human Rights Radio, Games Village comprises six tastefully finished two-bedroom apartments designed to deliver comfort, privacy, and modern living. 

The apartments feature spacious layouts, contemporary interiors, and carefully curated furnishings aimed at creating a home-like experience for guests.

Speaking at the unveiling, the management of 168Apartments described the project as a response to the increasing demand for secure, high-quality short-let accommodation in Abuja.

“Our vision is to provide a premium hospitality experience that combines elegance, security, and affordability. Every apartment has been thoughtfully designed to give guests the comfort of a home while enjoying the standards of a luxury facility,” management said.

The property operates within a secured environment equipped with 24-hour electricity, CCTV surveillance, and dedicated security personnel to ensure the safety of residents. 

According to the company, the serene setting makes the apartments suitable for business travelers, families, and leisure visitors seeking a quiet and modern space in the city.

To mark the opening, the brand is offering limited-time promotional rates targeted at early guests.

“We are excited to welcome both individual and corporate clients. Our introductory offer is part of our commitment to making luxury hospitality accessible while we build lasting relationships with our guests,” the management added.

Watch video:

Photos
Continue reading

at

 

Foremost Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has urged the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to adopt dialogue with the Federal Government as a way to resolve his legal and political challenges.

In a statement issued on Friday and signed by his counsel, Pelumi Olajengbesi, Igboho praised Kanu for his recent decision to formally cancel the Monday sit-at-home order that has affected the South-East for five years.

He described the decision to end the weekly protest as a necessary step toward restoring stability in the region.

The statement read, “Chief Sunday Adeyemo wishes to commend the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, on his recent cancellation of the Monday sit-at-home across the South-East zone of Nigeria.

“Chief Igboho believes that the move by Mazi Kanu to end the five-year Monday economic siege on the South-East zone is thoughtful.”

Beyond the suspension of the civil disobedience directive, Igboho called for a change in approach, urging Kanu to seek common ground through formal negotiations with the present administration.

“Chief Igboho urges the IPOB leader to vigorously explore dialogue and mediation with the Federal Government to break the deadlock in his ordeal”, the statement said.

The activist expressed confidence that the administration of President Bola Tinubu would be open to such engagements, noting that a peaceful outcome is possible if both sides act in good faith.

“While it is the fundamental right of Mazi Kanu to pursue self-determination, Chief Igboho believes that the current administration of President Bola Tinubu is predisposed to negotiation and mutual understanding for the peace, shared prosperity, security and the deserved respect that the South-East commands”, the statement added.

The statement also criticised individuals or groups allegedly profiting from the crisis in the South-East.

Igboho warned that the “desecration” of the region must end to pave the way for economic recovery.

“Chief Igboho also urges all those who make profits from the desecration and despoliation of the South-East through violence to desist from such acts in the interest of peace and economic prosperity of the region and the nation,” the statement added.

Igboho’s intervention represents a notable show of solidarity between the two prominent ethnic activists, reflecting a growing consensus on the need for peace and dialogue in the pursuit of regional stability.

The pro-Biafran group declared the sit-at-home in August 2021 to protest Kanu’s rendition to Nigeria and his subsequent detention.

During the exercise, markets, schools, banks and offices remained closed.

Recall that Kanu was convicted of terrorism-related offences on November 20, 2025, and sentenced to life imprisonment, a decision his family rejected while promising to appeal.

After his sentencing, Kanu was moved to the Sokoto Correctional Centre to serve his term, as the court ruled that the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja would not be suitable for him.

Continue reading

at

 

Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, has alleged that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) directed operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest him on his arrival in Nigeria.

A brief drama occurred on Thursday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja when security operatives reportedly attempted to detain el-Rufai after he returned from Cairo, Egypt’s capital.

Muyiwa Adekeye, the former governor’s media aide, said operatives approached el-Rufai shortly after he disembarked but he refused to follow them because there was no formal invitation.

In an interview with BBC published on Friday, el-Rufai said DSS operatives met him after he stepped off the plane and asked him to come for a meeting at their office.

He said he demanded a letter of interview, but the operatives told him it would be shown to him outside the airport.

The former governor claimed that about 50 security operatives were at the airport because of him.

“We walked towards the immigration counter and they (DSS operatives) said I should give them my passport for them to go and do…. I said, ‘no, I always do my immigration biometrics’. I went there, did that and walked out,” he said.

“Two more senior people came and said they are from the DSS and they wanted me to go to their office. I didn’t know whether they have an office at the airport or they meant the headquarters.

“All I asked for is a courtesy of a letter of invitation. That is what I believe I am entitled to as a Nigerian. They did not have a letter.

“Subsequently, we learnt that it was ICPC that procured the DSS to do the abduction. I was supposed to be abducted by the DSS and taken to ICPC.”

Responding to comments questioning why he was afraid of arrest, el-Rufai said his concern was about undemocratic practices.

“I’m afraid of tyranny, undemocratic practices and people that don’t understand that in a democracy, the executive is not all-in-all,” the former governor said.

“There is a legislature that should be allowed to function, which has not been allowed to function. There is a judiciary that is supposed to be independent, which is being procured and weaponised against the opposition.”

Before the airport incident in Abuja, el-Rufai had said he feared a politically motivated arrest on his return to Nigeria.

Two of his associates — Jimi Lawal and Amadu Sule — are currently facing ICPC charges over alleged fraud and money laundering.

Continue reading

at

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has criticised proposed United States sanctions aimed at notable Muslim individuals and groups in Nigeria, describing the action as “lopsided, unjust and selective.”

Five US lawmakers recently introduced a bill proposing visa restrictions and asset freezes against former Kano State Governor and New Nigerian People’s Party leader, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as well as the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, among others.

MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said in a statement posted on the organisation’s website on Thursday that the planned sanctions ignored alleged abuses by government officials in Southern Nigeria and leaders of Christian militia groups in the North Central region, whose activities he said had affected Muslim residents and travellers for decades.

The statement was titled, “US sanctions on Muslim figures in Nigeria ‘lopsided’ – MURIC.”

He said: “We take the decision of the US Congress to sanction Muslims alone with a pinch of salt. It amounts to scapegoating, preconceived judgement and crusade-brandishing.

“Coming to Nigeria with the avowed aim of protecting Christians carries with it the implications of coming to promote Christianity, coming to deter the prosecution of Christian criminals who are behind the killing of hundreds of Muslim travellers in Plateau State, coming to undermine Islam, coming to persecute Muslims and coming to encourage Muslim haters.”

Akintola stressed that both Muslim and Christian extremists were responsible for acts of violence and maintained that any sanctions should be “comprehensive and unbiased, not selective and lopsided.”

It read, “As a Muslim human rights group that has been in operation for 32 years (since 1994), MURIC has records of proven acts of inhumanity, discrimination, marginalization, denial of religious freedom and other acts of violation of rights committed by individual Christian state actors in Southern Nigeria as well as criminal Christian militia groups, and we are prepared to present them to the US or the United Nations or any other international audience if given the opportunity.”

He further warned: “For the avoidance of doubts, we assert clearly, unequivocally and emphatically that Christian militia groups of North Central Nigeria who are well known by the state governments have killed thousands of Muslims in the past decades.

“If, therefore, Northern Muslims are being marked for sanctions, present and past governors and government officials of North Central Nigeria who have funded, enabled and protected Christian terrorists in the zone deserve conspicuous spaces on the list.”

Akintola also accused the US of favouring Christian voices from Nigeria, saying the approach undermined justice and fairness.

“We nurse the suspicion that even US officials have always preferred to listen to Nigerian Christians without seeking to hear from Muslims to balance the stories and for justice, equity and fairness.

“This explains why the US Congress has always been anxious to invite Christian activists and clergymen from Nigeria without inviting their Muslim counterparts. This attitude is contrary to the well known principle of justice (audi alteram partem i.e. hear from the other side),” he said.

The activist expressed concern over what he called “the arrival of the age of conversion to Christianity at gunpoint,” which he alleged was being aided by US involvement:

“As at today, the 12th of February, 2026, we nurse the palpable fear… Muslims have become endangered species in Nigeria. For the world to believe the US is not on a recycled crusade, the US needs to sanction the following: Southern Nigeria governors and their government officials who go out of their way to deprive Muslims of their Allah-given fundamental human rights; those who disenfranchise Muslims by denying them voters cards on account of their dressing as Muslims; those who defy court judgements and violate the rights of the Muslim girl child; those who compel Muslim students to attend church services or face expulsion from school on university campuses; those who deny Muslims access to public health, education services, national identity cards, driving licences, international travelling passports, etc by telling women to remove their hijab and the men to remove their caps or turbans; those who deny employment opportunities to eminently qualified Muslim applicants on account of their being Muslims as well as those who marginalise Muslims in political appointments in Nigeria’s Southern states where Muslims are the majority (particularly in four Yoruba states of the South West: Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Osun).”

He added: “The US must not turn its eyes away from all these atrocities committed by Nigerian Christians against their Muslim compatriots on a daily basis, even up till this morning because we receive reports of these human rights abuses against Muslims everyday. Education, health and virtually all vital sectors have been occupied by Nigerian Christians in Southern Nigeria and weaponized to commit grave human rights offences against Muslims.

“Nigerian Muslims have no reason to antagonise America. Neither has there ever been any declared hostility between the US and Nigerian Muslims. It is also true that apart from millions of Americans who are Muslims, hundreds of Nigerian Muslims make their living in the US. It is therefore in our mutual interest to avoid tension.

“This is why the US needs to do more findings before labeling or sanctioning law-abiding and peace-loving Nigerian Muslims. Boko Haram and ISIS terrorists should not be given the chance to rejoice at having succeeded in killing moderate Muslims and at the same time getting America to sanction them!”

Continue reading

at

 

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has paid a solidarity visit to Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State and a leading figure of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), after an unsuccessful attempt to arrest him at the airport.

Atiku made this known in a Facebook post on Friday, stating that El-Rufai was not shaken by the incident and remains focused on his goal of building a better Nigeria.

“Last night, I paid a solidarity visit to the former Governor of Kaduna State and stalwart of the African Democratic Congress, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, following the failed attempt to arrest him at the airport upon his arrival in the country.

“He was unfazed by the incident and remains committed to the battle to enthrone a better Nigeria,” Atiku wrote.

Continue reading

at

 

Nigeria has recorded major diplomatic gains at the just-concluded 39th Session of the Executive Council of the African Union, including securing a permanent seat on the board of the African Central Bank.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the development represents a significant milestone for the country and affirms its strategic role in shaping Africa’s financial architecture and economic integration agenda.

According to statement personally signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, on Friday, the decision also extends Nigeria’s representation to the Board of the Technical Convergence Committee of the African Monetary Institute, which serves as the precursor to the establishment of the African Central Bank.

The statement noted that the outcome “underscores Nigeria’s technical capacity, economic significance, and commitment to advancing Africa’s monetary integration agenda.”

In the area of peace and security, the Executive Council also ratified the election of candidates jointly endorsed by the Economic Community of West African States to the Peace and Security Council of the African Union.

The ministry said the development reflects “the strong cohesion, cooperation, and unity among ECOWAS Member States, as well as the region’s shared commitment to promoting stability and collective security across the continent.”

Nigeria also hosted a ministerial high-level panel discussion on regional partnerships for democracy, which drew ministers, senior government officials and delegates from across Africa and the international community.

The panel, according to the ministry, “facilitated constructive dialogue on strengthening democratic institutions, fostering inclusive governance, and enhancing collaborative regional approaches to sustaining democratic values.”

The statement added that Nigeria’s engagements at the session reaffirm the country’s commitment to the objectives of the African Union, particularly in promoting economic integration, institutional development, peace, security and democratic governance.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria remains dedicated to working collaboratively with Member States and regional bodies to advance Africa’s shared prosperity and sustainable development,” the statement added.

Continue reading

at

 

Fresh anxiety has spread across Ira, Inaja and Aho communities in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State after a threatening letter allegedly left at the Ira market warned of an impending terrorist assault.

The letter, reportedly found on Thursday morning, has thrown the affected communities into fear, with security agencies said to have immediately convened operational meetings with local government authorities over the development.

Sources familiar with the matter said the writers of the letter identified themselves as “NTA (Nigeria Terrorist Association)” and claimed they had relocated from Kaiama Local Government Area to Oyun, declaring their intention to strike the communities “anytime soon.”

According to a report by SaharaReporters, residents said that the threat has unsettled the entire axis, especially in the wake of the recent massacre in Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area, where at least 162 people were reportedly slaughtered by suspected terrorists linked to Jama’atu Ahlissunnah Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), commonly known as Boko Haram.

The content of the letter seen by sources reads in part: “No Town, or place That is scared us to destroyed. We search and gathered information before we raided.”

The group further taunted the residents, writing: “We heard about this town IRA ‘You people strong, and have many Powerful men to face Our Organisation.’”

In a chilling warning, the letter added: “Be ready for us at any time, any date. noting Concern about your Oracle or us powerful We left Kaiama LG, we move to Ira, Inaja and Aho and town surrounded.”

Ira is a border town adjoining Ilemona, while Inaja and Aho lie westwards along the same corridor, an area increasingly considered vulnerable because of forest routes linking parts of Kwara to neighbouring states.

Military sources disclosed that the Nigerian Army’s Forward Operation Base in Ilemona has intensified patrols across the threatened communities, working alongside other security personnel to prevent any infiltration.

“The information has geared all the security agencies into series of operational preparedness and way forward meeting with local government authority,” a source said, adding that residents have been advised to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements.

The development comes days after SaharaReporters exclusively reported how suspected Boko Haram terrorists allegedly issued a similar threat letter to Dunshigogo community in Kaiama Local Government Area following the deadly Woro massacre.

On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, terrorists invaded Woro in a coordinated evening assault, killing men, women and children indiscriminately.

Among those killed were two wives of the Emir of Woro, several of his children, the Chief Imam, a school principal, a headmistress and returning students. The Emir, Alhaji Saliu Bio Umar, managed to escape after fleeing the scene.

The attackers were believed to be linked to a Sadiku-led Boko Haram faction with alleged operational ties to Sahel-based terrorist networks, marking a disturbing escalation of insurgent activity in Kwara State, once considered relatively insulated from large-scale terrorist violence.

Residents of Ira and neighbouring communities now fear a repeat of the Woro bloodbath.

As of the time of filing this report, Kwara State authorities and security agencies have yet to issue an official public statement specifically addressing the alleged NTA threat letter.

With memories of Woro still fresh, anxiety continues to mount across Oyun Local Government as residents brace for what many describe as an uncertain and frightening wait.

(SAHARA REPORTERS)

Continue reading

at

 

A United States Marine of Nigerian descent, Chukwuemeka Oforah, has been confirmed dead after he fell overboard from the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima in the Caribbean Sea.

The 21-year-old Florida native and Lance Corporal infantry rifleman reportedly fell from the vessel on the evening of February 7, 2026, during routine operations and was declared missing at sea.

He was pronounced dead after a search operation concluded on February 10.

His death was announced on Wednesday and is still under investigation by the military, according to a BBC report on Thursday.

The news platform reports that Oforah’s death marks the first known American fatality in the President Donald Trump administration’s Operation Southern Spear, targeting drug-trafficking boats.

Oforah, assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, was deployed with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) as part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group.

He enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 2023 and graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in February 2024.

A statement from the U.S. Marines contained no details of how he may have fallen from the ship but expressed condolences to the victim’s family.

“We are all grieving alongside the Oforah family.

“The loss of Lance Cpl. Oforah is deeply felt across the entire Navy-Marine Corps team. He will be profoundly missed, and his dedicated service will not be forgotten,” said Col. Tom Trimble, commanding officer of the Marine Expeditionary Unit known as Special Operations Capable.

A news release from the military branch said the sprawling search for Oforah involved five ships and 10 aircraft.

Operation Southern Spear, launched under the Trump administration, targets drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean.

Since September 2025, the operation has executed 38 lethal strikes on suspected drug boats.

According to BBC, it played a key role in the capture of Venezuelan president Nicholas Maduro.

Oforah’s death is the first publicly acknowledged US service member fatality associated with this mission.

Continue reading

at

 

Kano State Government has dismissed an allegation that it is making moves to prevent the leader of Kwankwasiyya movement,Sen. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, from entering the state, describing the allegation as false, malicious, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.

Kwankwaso’s political associate, Buba Galadima had told an online newspaper that Governor Abba Yusuf’s Government had written to the Federal Government to stop Kwankwaso from entering the state.

But the State Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Wayya, rejected the allegation in a statement, describing it as “reckless and unfounded.”

“The Kano State Government noted with deep concern the reckless and unfounded allegation made by Alhaji Buba Galadima claiming that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf wrote to the Federal Government seeking to stop Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso from coming into Kano State.

“We wish to categorically state that this allegation is false, malicious, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and create unnecessary political tension in the state,” Wayya said.

Adding that:“At no time did the Kano State Government write to the Federal Government or any authority with the intention of preventing Senator Kwankwaso, or any Nigerian citizen, from entering Kano State. Such a claim exists only in the imagination of its sponsors and should be treated with the contempt it deserves.’’

“Kano State remains a peaceful and law-abiding state where the constitutional rights of every citizen, including freedom of movement and association, are respected and protected.

“The administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is focused on governance, service delivery, and the welfare of the people, not on petty political distractions.

“It is unfortunate that instead of engaging in constructive political discourse, certain individuals have chosen the path of spreading baseless allegations capable of overheating the polity. Dragging the Federal Government into local political narratives without evidence is irresponsible and unacceptable,” he said.

The Government, therefore, called on Alhaji Buba Galadima to provide credible evidence of his claims or withdraw the statement in the interest of peace and political maturity, noting that public figures must understand the weight of their words and the consequences of misinformation.

“We reassure the good people of Kano State that this administration remains committed to peace, unity, and the democratic rights of all citizens. No amount of political provocation will distract the government from delivering on its mandate,” the commissioner added.

Continue reading

at

 

The United States is preparing to dispatch the world’s largest aircraft carrier to the Middle East to reinforce forces already stationed in the region, according to a person familiar with the plan, adding significant military weight to President Donald Trump’s push to pressure Iran over its nuclear program.

The deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford follows comments by Trump only days ago indicating that another round of negotiations with Tehran could be imminent. Those talks have yet to take shape, however, as a senior Iranian security official traveled this week to Oman and Qatar, where messages were exchanged with U.S. intermediaries.

Gulf Arab countries have already cautioned that any strike could trigger a broader regional conflict, at a time when the Middle East is still grappling with the fallout from the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. At the same time, Iranians are beginning 40-day mourning ceremonies for thousands killed during last month’s violent crackdown on nationwide protests, increasing pressure on the heavily sanctioned Islamic Republic.
The Ford’s deployment, first reported by The New York Times, would mean two U.S. carrier strike groups operating in the region. The USS Abraham Lincoln, along with its guided-missile destroyers, is already positioned in the Arabian Sea.

The individual who spoke to The Associated Press about the move did so on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations.
Ford had been part of Venezuela strike force.

The move represents a rapid redeployment for the Ford, which Trump ordered from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean last October as the administration amassed a large military presence before the surprise raid last month that resulted in the capture of then-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

The decision also appears to diverge from Trump’s national security strategy, which has emphasized the Western Hemisphere over other regions.

On Thursday, Trump warned Tehran that failing to reach an agreement with his administration would be “very traumatic.” Iran and the United States held indirect talks in Oman last week.

“I guess over the next month, something like that,” Trump said in response to a question about his timeline for striking a deal with Iran on its nuclear program. “It should happen quickly. They should agree very quickly.”

Trump also told Axios earlier this week that he was considering sending a second carrier strike group to the Middle East.

After lengthy talks on Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said he had urged Israel’s leader to allow negotiations with Iran to continue. Netanyahu has been pressing Washington to push Tehran to scale back its ballistic missile program and halt support for militant groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah as part of any agreement.

The USS Ford began its deployment in late June 2025, meaning the crew will have been at sea for eight months within two weeks. While the duration of the ship’s stay in the Middle East remains unclear, the move could result in an unusually long deployment for the crew.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Ford’s deployment comes as Iran mourns

Inside Iran, anger remains over the government’s sweeping crackdown on dissent. Tensions could intensify as families begin the traditional 40-day mourning ceremonies for those killed. Online videos have already shown gatherings in different parts of the country, with mourners holding portraits of the dead.

One video appeared to show people at a cemetery in Iran’s Razavi Khorasan province, home to Mashhad, on Thursday. Using a large portable speaker, the crowd sang the patriotic song “Ey Iran,” which dates back to the 1940s during the rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Though it was initially banned after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran’s current leadership has at times used it to rally public support.

“Oh Iran, a land of full of jewels, your soil is full of art,” they sang. “May evil wishes be far from you. May you live eternal. Oh enemy, if you are a piece of granite, I am iron.”

(AP)

Continue reading

at

 

The Nigerian Army says it has exposed and arrested an alleged impostor,  Tijjani Abdul Rauf, who had been posing as a retired Major General and using the false identity to mislead the public and exploit the reputation of the military.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, said investigations showed that Abdul Rauf was never commissioned into the Nigerian Army, never attained the rank of General and never retired from the service in any capacity.

Anele added that the suspect also claimed to have attended the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, and to have received the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).

“All these claims have been conclusively confirmed to be entirely false and fabricated,” the Army said.

She explained that the suspect allegedly used the false credentials to intimidate unsuspecting civilians, including during court proceedings, where he presented himself as a retired senior military officer to gain undue respect and influence.

Anele revealed that during interrogation, media reports from two national newspapers were recovered, in which the suspect was repeatedly described as a “retired Maj.-Gen.”

“One of the reports by Premium Times identified him as “Major General AbdulRauf Tijjani (rtd)” in a suit he instituted against the Lagos State Government and others, seeking N8 billion in damages.

“Another report by the Independent Newspaper dated Nov. 9, 2020, also referred to him as a retired Maj.-Gen. while reporting his appeal against the dismissal of the same suit, which the court had described as incompetent and a gross abuse of court process,” she said.

Anele stressed that no retired officer of the Nigerian Army bears the name Alhaji Tijjani Abdul Rauf, and no officer with such identity had ever reached the rank of Major General or above in the service.

She condemned impersonation, describing it as a serious offence that erodes public confidence and damages the reputation of officers who have served the country with honour.

Anele reaffirmed the Army’s resolve to safeguard the integrity of its ranks, honours and institutions, noting that it would continue working with relevant authorities to ensure impostors are brought to justice.

She also urged members of the public to verify claims of military status through appropriate channels and report suspicious representations to security agencies.

Continue reading

at

 

Gunmen have abducted a 12-year-old schoolgirl in the Challenge area of Ibadan, Oyo State, in the early hours of Thursday.

The incident reportedly occurred around 7:20 a.m. when the pupil was on her way to school. She was said to have been taken by unidentified armed men close to the entrance of her school.

The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the development, stating that the victim, a female student of a private secondary school in the area, was abducted shortly after stepping out of the vehicle that dropped her off.

In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ayanlade Olayinka, the Command explained that the suspected kidnapping happened at a junction leading directly to the school.

The statement read, “The Oyo State Police Command confirms an incident of suspected kidnapping reported in the Challenge area of Ibadan in the early hours of today, Thursday, 12th February 2026.

“Preliminary information indicates that at about 7:20 a.m., a 12-year-old female student of a private secondary school in the area was allegedly abducted by unknown armed men at a junction leading to the school premises as she was alighting from a vehicle that conveyed her to school.”

Police authorities said the case was reported promptly, leading to the swift deployment of detectives and tactical units to the scene to conduct an initial assessment and gather intelligence to support rescue efforts.

The Command added that eyewitnesses at the scene had been identified and interviewed, with their accounts already providing useful leads for investigators working to locate the abductors.

“Eyewitnesses at the scene were identified and questioned, and their accounts are providing valuable leads to assist ongoing investigations,” the police statement added.

It also noted that the parents of the abducted pupil had been contacted and were cooperating with the police as operations continue to secure her safe return.

The Commissioner of Police in the state has directed a comprehensive, intelligence-driven investigation into the incident, assuring that every necessary step would be taken to apprehend those responsible.

According to the Command, “all possibilities and options are being explored to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and bring those responsible to justice.”

Police authorities further urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading panic, while calling on anyone with useful information to assist ongoing rescue efforts.

Continue reading

at

 

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described a former Ekiti State governor, Peter Ayodele Fayose, as a serial political gossip and urged the public to ignore what he called his “beer parlour tales of infamy” concerning vice-presidential tickets.

Atiku said there were no negotiations over any vice-presidential position during his recent visit to the residence of former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida.

Fayose had alleged, in what was described as a malicious fabrication, that Governor Seyi Makinde agreed to run as a vice-presidential candidate with Atiku and pledged ₦10 billion in contributions.

In a statement issued Thursday in Abuja, the former vice president, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, denied the allegation in its entirety, insisting that at no time did Atiku engage in the alleged horse-trading described in the report.

According to Shaibu, Fayose’s account is not insider information but insider fiction, manufactured to mislead, distract and provoke.

“Our attention has been drawn to a reckless and malicious fabrication titled ‘Between Atiku and Makinde, Untold Story of What Happened in Minna Yesterday,’ attributed to one Peter Ayodele Fayose.

“Let it be stated clearly: the entire publication is a shameless concoction — a tissue of lies stitched together by a serial purveyor of political gossip whose relevance survives only on controversy, distortion, and cheap propaganda.

“There were no negotiations over vice-presidential tickets. There were no discussions about ₦10 billion contributions. There were no zoning manipulations. There were no delegate-delivery guarantees. And there is certainly no clandestine ‘Dubai meeting’ on any such agenda.

“The attempt to drag other political actors into this fabricated beer parlour tale does not elevate its credibility; it merely exposes the desperation behind it.

“His Excellency Atiku Abubakar’s political engagements are broad-based, principled, and national in scope — not the narrow, transactional theatrics invented in that publication.

“It is unfortunate that certain individuals, long deprived of credibility and political gravitas, now attempt to manufacture relevance by inventing tales around serious national figures. Falsehood may trend for a moment, but it collapses under the weight of truth.

“Atiku Abubakar does not transact politics in secrecy, bribery, or transactional desperation as mischievously and irresponsibly portrayed. He remains focused on principled engagement and national redemption — not backroom theatrics designed by attention-seekers.”

The statement urged the public to treat the publication with the contempt it deserves.

Continue reading

at

 

The Federal Government may commit about N1.04 trillion to off-cycle elections this year, the 2027 general election and other operational activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), pending approval by the National Assembly.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, presented the proposal while defending the commission’s spending plan before the Joint Committee of the National Assembly on Electoral Matters.

Amupitan urged legislators to approve the request and ensure the full and prompt release of the funds.

He cautioned that any delay could disrupt preparations for the forthcoming elections.

According to him, the commission is requesting N873.778 billion for the conduct of the 2027 general election and N171 billion for its 2026operations, which include off-cycle polls scheduled for this year.

He explained that the operational allocation would cover the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections, by-elections slated for next week, as well as the Ekiti and Osun governorship polls fixed for June and September.

The INEC chairman provided a detailed breakdown of the N873.778 billion proposed for the 2027 general election.

Out of the sum, N379.748 billion is earmarked for operational costs, N92.317 billion for administrative expenses, N209.206 billion for technology, N154.905 billion for election capital costs and N42.608 billion for miscellaneous expenses.

For the N171 billion proposed for 2026operations, Amupitan said N109 billion would go to personnel costs, N18.7 billion to overheads, N42.63 billion for the conduct of elections and N1.4 billion for capital allocation.

He noted that the election budget was prepared in line with Section 3(3) of the Electoral Act 2022.

It requires the budget for the conduct of elections to be submitted at least one year before a general election.

Amupitan criticised the envelope system of budgeting, describing it as unsuitable for the commission’s operations, which often require urgent interventions.

“The nature of our work demands prompt access to funds,” he said, appealing for the immediate release of approved funds.

He also identified the lack of a dedicated communication network as one of the commission’s major challenges, adding that developing an independent network would enhance accountability.

“If we have our own network, Nigerians can hold us responsible for any hitch,” he said.
Lawmakers back bulk release of funds

Responding to the presentation, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) said no government agency should impose a budgeting model on INEC, given the sensitive nature of its responsibilities.

He argued that the envelope budgeting system should be set aside for the commission, urging lawmakers to work with INEC’s proposals to avoid operational complaints.

Billy Osawaru, a member of the House of Representatives from Edo State, said INEC’s budget should be placed on first-line charge, as provided for in the Constitution, to allow the full release of funds at once for effective planning and execution of its duties.

After deliberations, the joint committee approved a motion calling for a one-time release of INEC’s annual budget.

The committee also said it would consider INEC’s request for an increase in allowances for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed for election duties, estimated at N32 billion, translating to N125,000 per corps member.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Simon Lalong, assured the commission of lawmakers’ support, pledging that the National Assembly would work closely with INEC to ensure all requirements for the successful conduct of the 2027 general election are met.

Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Bayo Balogun, also promised legislative support but cautioned the commission against making commitments that could be difficult to fulfil.

He recalled that a previous INEC administration made extensive promises about real-time result uploads to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV).

“The last INEC made it look as if Nigerians would be watching election results on IREV like television,” Balogun said.

“Meanwhile, IREV was not even provided for in the Electoral Act but only in INEC regulations.

“So, be careful how you make promises.”

(NATION)

Continue reading
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)