Author: Adeniyi Daniel

The Federal Government has intensified efforts to support Nigerians returning from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks, with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) outlining a series of financial, welfare and reintegration packages provided to the first batch of evacuees. Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, disclosed on Thursday that the 262 Nigerians who recently arrived in Lagos under the government’s voluntary evacuation programme have received assistance from federal agencies, state governments and private sector organisations aimed at helping them rebuild their lives. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Dabiri-Erewa stressed that the returnees were victims of discrimination…

The Senate on Thursday reaffirmed that only the President of the Senate has the constitutional authority to summon witnesses or issue warrants of arrest on behalf of the upper chamber and its committees, distancing itself from recent actions and remarks made during the Public Accounts Committee’s probe of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). The clarification followed a motion raised by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, during plenary, amid growing controversy over proceedings at a recent investigative hearing of the Senate Public Accounts Committee. In its resolution, the Senate dissociated itself from comments attributed to Senator Adams Oshiomhole during…

The Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA) has intensified efforts to enforce the state’s anti-open grazing regulations, impounding livestock found grazing illegally in Apata Olomo along the Ado-Awaye Road in Iseyin Local Government Area. The enforcement action followed complaints from farmers in the community who alleged that roaming livestock had repeatedly invaded their farmlands, destroyed crops and caused significant economic losses. Chairperson of the Authority, Justice Aderonke Aderemi (retd.), disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, noting that the operation was carried out in response to petitions received from affected farmers. According to her, the complaints highlighted…

Somali referee Omar Artan has been appointed to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup final, weeks after a visa-related setback prevented him from entering the United States to join preparations for the FIFA World Cup. The 34-year-old official will take charge of the prestigious season-opening clash between UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and UEFA Europa League champions Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria, on August 12. Artan’s appointment comes amid ongoing debate over his exclusion from the United States, where he was expected to participate in training and briefing sessions for match officials selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.…

A former senatorial aspirant of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Aisha Yesufu, has criticised comments made by the party’s National Leader, Henry Seriake Dickson, arguing that the leadership should be focused on healing divisions and strengthening support ahead of the 2027 general elections. Yesufu made her position known in a post on X on Thursday while reacting to Dickson’s recent appearance on Arise Television, where he addressed concerns surrounding the party’s primary elections and broader internal challenges. During the interview, Dickson acknowledged that the NDC’s primary process was not without flaws, citing logistical and administrative difficulties faced by the relatively…

The House of Representatives on Thursday passed the State Police Bill, a major legislative proposal aimed at decentralising Nigeria’s policing structure and enhancing the country’s capacity to tackle growing security threats. The bill secured overwhelming support during plenary, with 289 lawmakers voting in favour, one voting against, while Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, abstained from the vote. The proposed legislation seeks to establish state-controlled police formations as part of broader efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture amid persistent incidents of kidnapping, banditry, communal violence and other criminal activities across the country. Proceedings on the bill generated debate after a…

Troops of Operation UDO KA, working alongside operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have uncovered a major arms cache linked to suspected IPOB/ESN operatives in Enugu State, recovering machine guns, rifles, grenades and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. The discovery was made during a joint intelligence-led operation conducted under Operation EASTERN SANITY II in Gariki, Enugu South Local Government Area of the state. According to the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Olabisi Ayeni, the operation followed credible intelligence obtained from previously arrested suspects allegedly affiliated with the Indigenous People of Biafra…

Gunmen on Tuesday night abducted the Vice Chairman of Ifedayo Local Government Area of Osun State, Hon. Debo Farounbi, during an attack on Ora, a border community located along the Osun-Kwara boundary. The attackers, who reportedly stormed the community at about 10 p.m., fired several gunshots into the air, creating panic among residents before whisking away their victims. Sources in the community said four persons, including Farounbi, were initially abducted during the attack. However, a swift response by security operatives and local vigilante volunteers reportedly forced the gunmen to abandon three of the victims while fleeing into a nearby forest.…

Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a suspected armed robber and notorious cultist in the Ebute Metta area of the state, recovering a locally made pistol, ammunition and charms from the suspect. The suspect, identified as Odeshola Afeez, 22, was apprehended following a response by police operatives to a distress call from concerned residents who reported that a young man was harassing passers-by and causing panic within the community. According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, SP Abimbola Adebisi, officers immediately mobilised to the area upon receiving the report and successfully arrested the suspect.…

There is a popular saying that no criminal enterprise lasts forever. No matter how long it takes, the law eventually catches up with those who prey on innocent citizens. For a notorious Abuja-based “one chance” robbery syndicate allegedly responsible for a string of violent attacks, robberies and murders across the Federal Capital Territory, that day has finally arrived. The gang, allegedly led by Solomon Haruna Abok, popularly known as “Solex,” was dismantled following the arrest of five suspected members of the syndicate. Others arrested include Emmanuel Ibenni, also known as “Markfish”; David Francis; Abdulmajid Hussain; and Faruk Yusuf. According to…