News

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Rivers State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi has urged voters in Edo State to reject President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, describing those who vote for him as “mad.”

Amaechi made the remarks during an ADC stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Edo State, where he also accused Tinubu of prioritising financial interests over the welfare and economic needs of Nigerians.

“Only mad people will vote for Tinubu. If Edo people vote for President Tinubu, that means Edo people are mad. If you’re not mad, Tinubu should not win here,” Amaechi said.

The former Minister of Transportation also questioned the Federal Government’s decision to support the construction of another seaport in Ogun State, alleging that the project was motivated by the financial benefits it could generate rather than the state’s economic needs.

“So, Tinubu just hates you. No, I’m not joking. If Tinubu does not hate you, why is he building another seaport?” he asked.

“In Ogun, what are the goods we are producing? What goods are we producing to have as many as that number of seaports?

“It is not because he likes Ogun people. It is the money he will make out of the construction.”

Amaechi called on ADC supporters and other Nigerians opposed to Tinubu’s re-election bid to return to their communities and participate actively in the electoral process.

He cautioned that opposing the president would not be enough if voters failed to protect their votes during the elections.

“If you want Tinubu to go, please go home. Go home. Go home,” he said.

He also raised concerns about the conduct of election officials, arguing that voters should remain vigilant during the collation and announcement of results.

“Because all the returning officers are human beings. They are Nigerians. Those who take bribes and return fake results and suffer for four years,” Amaechi said.

His comments come as political parties and opposition figures intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the ADC among the platforms seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Amaechi served as Rivers State governor from 2007 to 2015 before becoming Minister of Transportation. He is now a prominent figure in the ADC-led opposition coalition.

The coming elections are expected to feature debates over economic conditions, insecurity, unemployment, public spending and electoral integrity as parties seek to mobilise support across the country.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Gombe State Government has commenced the disbursement of N10.32 billion in gratuities to 6,665 retired workers across state and local government services.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya announced the payment on Thursday during the launch of the sixth tranche of gratuity payments by his administration since 2019.

According to the governor, N6.24 billion was approved for 2,354 state government retirees covering 2024 and 2025, while N4.08 billion was allocated to settle outstanding gratuities for 4,311 local government retirees.

Yahaya said his administration inherited N21 billion in unpaid gratuities when it took office in 2019. The arrears covered local government retirees from 2012 to 2019 and state government retirees from 2014 to 2019.

“When we assumed office in 2019, we inherited a gratuity backlog of N21bn owed to state and local government retirees,” he said.

He explained that the state and local government finances were under pressure at the time, adding that local councils had borrowed N1.3 billion monthly between 2013 and 2019 to meet salary obligations.

“From the outset, we recognised that the welfare of retirees is not a privilege but a right, and that every worker who has served faithfully deserves to retire with dignity and financial security,” Yahaya said.

The governor said his administration continued to pay gratuities despite economic challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, recessions, the Russia-Ukraine war, fuel subsidy removal and the floating of the naira.

“Yet through prudent management of scarce resources, we had paid a total of N33.283bn in gratuities before today,” he said.

He added that the latest disbursement had raised the total gratuities paid since 2019 to N44.134 billion.

“With today’s disbursement, our cumulative gratuity payment since 2019 has reached a historic N44.134bn,” the governor said.

Yahaya stated that the latest payment had cleared state government gratuity obligations up to December 2025, while payments for entitlements accruing from January 2026 were scheduled for early 2027.

He also disclosed plans to establish a sustainable arrangement to prevent future accumulation of gratuity arrears. Options under consideration include a contributory pension scheme or deductions from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

“Our objective is simple: gratuity obligations must never again be allowed to accumulate and become an unbearable burden to the state and our retirees,” he said.

The governor further announced the release of N299 million in gratuities to former employees of the Gombe Investment and Property Development Company, following its dissolution and the creation of the Gombe State Investment Promotion Agency.

He said approval had also been granted to settle outstanding gratuities owed to former local government chairmen and councillors from previous administrations up to the present period.

Yahaya said his government had implemented the new minimum wage for state and local government workers, alongside the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure and Consolidated Health Salary Structure for doctors, nurses and other health professionals.

He maintained that salaries and pensions had been paid promptly throughout his tenure, including during periods of economic recession.

The governor said the need to address inherited gratuity arrears and an already overstaffed public service had influenced the administration’s decision to delay large-scale recruitment.

“The moral burden of clearing billions in gratuity arrears, together with an inherited service that was already overstaffed, compelled us to delay large-scale recruitment,” he said.

However, he noted that the government had employed 1,000 teachers, more than 440 health workers and hundreds of other personnel to meet staffing needs across ministries, departments and agencies.

“With the inherited backlog now cleared, Gombe State is in a stronger position to recruit new workers sustainably and strategically, aligned with the real needs of our public service and economy,” Yahaya said.

He appealed to retirees, civil servants and organised labour to support the government’s development efforts.

“We expect a renewed commitment and support from our retirees, civil servants and trade union groups to repay the support extended to them by our administration,” he said.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Muhammadu Magaji, described the commencement of the payments as a significant development in the management of pensions and gratuities in the state.

Magaji praised retirees for their contributions to Gombe’s development through their years of public service.

“You have taught our children, you treated the sick, you administered our institutions, maintained infrastructure and kept the machinery of government functioning,” he said.

He stressed that the payment represented the government’s fulfilment of its responsibility to former workers.

“The payment being commenced today therefore is not a favour, but a fulfilment of obligation of government which is being upheld strongly by His Excellency, our dear governor,” Magaji said.

The commissioner described the disbursement as “a restoration of hope, a fulfilment of an obligation, and a demonstration that responsible governance can make a tangible difference in the lives of our people.”

He also commended the administration’s efforts to improve internally generated revenue, strengthen budget credibility and promote transparency and accountability in public finance.

Magaji cited the state’s participation in fiscal and governance reform programmes, including SIFTAS, SABER and HOPE, as part of its efforts to improve public financial management and institutional performance.

“Permit me, on behalf of the government and people of the state, to sincerely acknowledge and appreciate Your Excellency for this effort towards our pensioners and retirees,” he said.

He urged the beneficiaries to recognise the government’s efforts to settle the inherited obligations and prayed for continued strength and wisdom for the governor.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force, North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have repelled an attack by the Lakurawa Terrorist Group on Forward Operating Base Maiyama in Kebbi State, recovering weapons, ammunition and 17 motorcycles.

In a statement on Thursday, Lt Col Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force (North West) Operation FANSAN YAMMA, said the incident occurred in the early hours of 7 October 2026, when a large number of terrorists, operating on over 100 motorcycles and armed with assorted weapons including General Purpose Machine Guns and Rocket-Propelled Grenades, launched an attack on the base.

The troops responded swiftly and effectively, repelling the attack and preventing the terrorists from achieving their objective. The terrorists subsequently withdrew, abandoning weapons, equipment and other logistics in their haste to escape.

Following the engagement, troops conducted exploitation and pursuit operations in the surrounding area, leading to the recovery of 17 motorcycles, a PKT machine gun, an AK-47 rifle, assorted ammunition and a communication device believed to have been used by the terrorists during the attack.

The statement said the recovery represented a significant setback to the terrorists’ operational capability in the area, adding that the general area remained firmly under troops’ control.

It added that aggressive patrols, clearance and dominance operations were continuing to track and neutralize fleeing members of the terrorist group.

The Theatre Command, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, restated its commitment to maintaining the security of communities and denying terrorists the freedom to operate within the Joint Operations Area.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Federal Government on Thursday announced that NNPC Retail will forgo its petrol retail profit margin and sell at cost for the next 30 days as part of measures to cushion Nigerian households from global crude oil price shocks.

In a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the government said NNPC Retail, which already sells petrol at the lowest price in the market, will offer the discount within the next 30 days. It explained that if NNPC’s landing cost is N1,300 per litre, it will sell at the same price to Nigerians, especially commercial vehicles.

The move, backed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was announced by Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Taiwo Oyedele alongside other measures.

Oyedele said he hoped other marketers would follow NNPC’s lead, noting that the sharp rise in crude and petrol prices is not expected to last long. He stressed that NNPC’s decision must not be misinterpreted as a return to petrol subsidy, which ended on May 29, 2023.

He also announced forward sales of crude to domestic refineries. According to him, as production rises and previously committed crude is freed up, pump prices should be shielded from global market volatility.

The government, Oyedele said, is negotiating a ceiling of N1,350 per litre on the ex-gantry or landing cost of petrol to keep pump prices stable. Where costs rise above the ceiling, refiners and importers will carry the shortfall and recover it later when crude prices or the exchange rate allow, without breaching the cap.

“This is neither a subsidy nor a price control: it is designed to smooth prices over time rather than suppressing them,” Oyedele said. “N1,400 a litre today and N1,400 tomorrow is better than N1,500 today and N1,300 tomorrow, because volatility itself adds to uncertainty and cost. And when fares rise sharply, they rarely fall as fast.”

He said the ceiling would be reviewed monthly, reset as costs require, and the figures published for transparency.

Under the 2025 tax reform laws, Oyedele said the Federal Government, in collaboration with states and security agencies, is reining in road taxes and levies that inflate fares and logistics costs. Funding is also being increased for cash transfers to vulnerable households and subsidised credit for small businesses and consumers.

Other measures announced include:

1· A faster CNG rollout, with the government expecting transporters to pass savings on to passengers. CNG is 60–70 per cent cheaper than petrol.

2· Consideration of an excess profit tax for operators who take undue advantage of consumers along the energy value chain. Proceeds would be used exclusively to cushion fuel prices through transport support or vouchers for urban minimum-wage earners. The government will also work with the National Assembly on enhanced tax relief for low-income earners under the 2027 Finance Bill.

3· Cuts to regulatory costs that feed into the cost of doing business and, indirectly, higher prices of goods and services.

4· Investment in a National Strategic Fuel Reserve. Refined products would be released under clear, published rules whenever global disruption or hoarding threatens supply and price stability. The government said this is not a subsidy and does not fix prices, but secures supply and reduces volatility.

5· Better traffic and logistics management, including improved traffic flow in major urban centres to reduce fuel consumption, and the use of NIPOST’s newly launched address codes to make logistics more efficient and cheaper.

The Presidency said none of the measures restores a blanket subsidy, warning that doing so would create longer-term harm for a short-term cure. It acknowledged the hardship Nigerians face over the high cost of fuel.

“Removing the fuel subsidy came at a price. But the alternative has been tried. Nigeria has already lived through that cycle: scarcity, smuggling, a collapsing currency and a fiscal crisis. We cannot afford to live through it again, least of all in response to a temporary disruption, and at the very moment the results of reform are gathering pace,” it said.

The government said it was not reversing a necessary reform, but ensuring its gains reach more Nigerians faster and in more tangible ways. It added that it is working on a comprehensive package of fiscal measures to bring inflation down to single digits sustainably in the near term.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The management of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has suspended the implementation of its recently revised student charges following mounting demands and complaints from the Student Representative Council (SRC).

The decision, announced in a special bulletin signed by the university’s management, aims to allow for further consultations with students and other relevant stakeholders. The suspension comes just as the implementation of the revised fees was about to commence.

According to the bulletin, the initial review of the charges was necessitated by a pressing financial challenge, compounded by a loss of nearly N2.5 billion following a court ruling in March 2026.

The management stated that the revised charges were introduced to bridge the gap between available resources and the rising cost of essential services, including welfare, security, transportation, and utilities.

However, the move sparked additional demands from the student body. “Management has carefully considered the submissions made to it by the students and Management found them to be legitimate, responsible and deserving of further consideration,” the statement read.

In the spirit of mutual respect and responsible governance, management has opted to halt the implementation. The university praised the students for their mature and constructive approach to the matter, describing the suspension as “a demonstration of Management’s commitment to listening to its students and ensuring that decisions with significant implications for them are subjected to the fullest possible consideration.”

While acknowledging the institution’s financial realities and the urgent need to strengthen resources for essential services, management emphasized the importance of balancing these constraints with the need to provide a conducive environment for teaching, learning, and research.

The management reiterated its commitment to student welfare and appealed for calm and cooperation as the consultation process continues. The university expressed confidence that a responsible and sustainable resolution will be reached through constructive engagement with the SRC. Further communication on the outcome of the consultations will be issued in due course.

By Hajara Abdullahi

A nine-year-old boy has allegedly set his family home on fire in Karasuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State, killing two women and two girls.

Police said the incident occurred on 21 August 2026 at Rugan Badali Fulani. The victims were trapped inside the house and sustained severe injuries, which led to their deaths.

The police said investigation revealed that the nine-year-old son of Idi was suspected of starting the fire. The command added that the boy confessed to setting the house ablaze, saying he did it for revenge after his father beat him over an allegation that he stole a chicken.

By Hajara Abdullahi

A 20-year-old man, Lawisi Safiyanu, has been arrested for allegedly stabbing his 25-year-old friend, Muhammad Abba, to death over a N500 debt in Jigawa State.

The incident occurred at about 12:30 a.m. on October 1, 2026, in Chamo village, Dutse Local Government Area.

The Jigawa State Police Command said preliminary investigation showed that the deceased bought a mobile phone from the suspect for N1,500. He paid N1,000 and was left owing N500.

Reports said an argument broke out between the two men over the outstanding N500. During the altercation, the suspect allegedly used a knife to stab Muhammad Abba.

Muhammad was rushed to Rashid Shekoni Teaching Hospital, Dutse, for emergency treatment, but doctors confirmed him dead while efforts were being made to save his life.

Police said Lawisi Safiyanu was arrested, and the knife allegedly used in the attack was recovered and kept as an exhibit.

The command added that investigation into the case has been completed, and the suspect will be arraigned in court for prosecution.

Jigawa State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijjani Murtala, urged residents to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their hands.

He advised members of the public to always report any suspect or dispute to the police or other relevant security agencies.

The commissioner assured residents that the police would continue to take appropriate action against criminal acts and ensure that offenders are prosecuted to reap what they sowed.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Gombe State High Court has sentenced two men, Buhari Sule and Muktari Ali Hilami, to death by hanging for armed robbery and the murder of a 35-year-old man, Murtala Rabi’u.

Justice Muhammad-Auwal Haruna, who presided over Court No. 5 on Wednesday, found the two defendants guilty of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and culpable homicide.

The case followed the September 18, 2025, attack on Rabi’u at Garin Galadima village, near Pindiga in Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.

The prosecution alleged that Sule and Hilami conspired before arming themselves with dangerous weapons, including sticks and hoes, and attacking Rabi’u.

According to the prosecution, the men robbed the deceased of his mobile phone and N7,400 before inflicting injuries that resulted in his death. His body was later dumped in a maize farm.

Presenting the case, the state counsel, Abdulkadir Ibrahim, told the court that the offences violated Sections 97, 297 and 221 of the Penal Code Law.

“The defendants agreed among themselves at Garin Galadima village, armed themselves with dangerous weapons and attacked the deceased, Murtala Rabi’u.”

The prosecutor further said the defendants took the deceased’s Itel keypad phone without a SIM card and “the sum of N7,400 cash, which they shared among themselves after dumping his corpse in a maize farm.”

The charges were read and explained to the defendants, who pleaded not guilty.

During the trial, the prosecution presented two witnesses, while the defence called one witness. All the witnesses were cross-examined by the opposing sides.

In his judgment, Justice Haruna said he had examined the evidence presented by both the prosecution and defence.

“The court has gone through all the charges brought by the prosecution, the evidence of the witnesses and the testimony presented by the defence.”

The judge held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, with particular reliance on the testimony of the first prosecution witness.

“The prosecution has established its case and proved the allegations against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt.”

Justice Haruna further ruled that the defendants “failed to establish their defence against the charges brought against them.”

The court consequently convicted both men on the charges.

Justice Haruna sentenced Buhari Sule and Muktari Ali Hilami to death by hanging, ordering that they be “hanged by the neck until they are dead.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has predicted that the President will record a wider margin of victory in the 2027 presidential election.

Bwala expressed confidence that Tinubu would outperform his 2023 presidential election result when he seeks another term in office.

He made the prediction during an interview reported by Channels Television on Wednesday.

“Let me tell you and let me say it categorically and I will be happy to come back. The margin of gap that President Bola Tinubu will give each and everyone of these candidates will be so much that you won’t believe it,” Bwala said.

Tinubu won the 2023 presidential election with 8,794,726 votes, defeating the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Atiku Abubakar, by 1.81 million votes and the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, by 2.69 million votes.

Bwala linked his confidence in Tinubu’s prospects to what he described as increasing support for the President among governors elected on opposition party platforms.

Several governors have moved from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress since the 2023 election.

The presidential aide said he expected more governors to back Tinubu in the 2027 election than did during the previous presidential contest.

His prediction comes as political parties and their candidates step up preparations for the 2027 general elections.

However, Bwala’s comments are a political assessment of the forthcoming election and do not constitute an established outcome of the 2027 presidential contest.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Twenty prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted while travelling from Oyo State to their orientation camp in Abia State have regained their freedom after seven days in captivity.

The victims were kidnapped on October 1, 2026, along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, confirmed their release in a statement on Wednesday, saying the victims had been taken for medical examination and necessary medical attention.

The prospective corps members were rescued at about 4:28 pm at Amakohia Ubi Village, Imo State, following sustained search-and-rescue operations by a joint team of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services and other security agencies.

The circumstances surrounding the rescue were not immediately disclosed. There was also no confirmation of any arrest in connection with the abduction, as the perpetrators were still at large as of the time of the report.

The police statement read, “Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other security agencies, have successfully rescued the 20 prospective NYSC corps members who were abducted in Imo State on 1st October, 2026.

‘’Following their safe recovery, the victims have been taken for medical examination and necessary medical attention as part of the post-rescue process.”

Iniedu said security agencies had intensified efforts to track down those responsible for the abduction and bring them to justice.

“The Nigeria Police Force appreciates members of the public for their cooperation and support and reiterates its commitment to the protection of lives and property and the prompt response to threats to public safety,” the statement added.

The police said further information would be released as the investigation progresses.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, also confirmed the release of the victims.

“The kidnapped graduates have been released. The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, confirmed this in a telephone conversation at about 5.00 pm today (Wednesday),” he said.

The statement was issued in Ibadan by his media aide, Adeola Oloko.

A parent of one of the victims, Alhaja Alimot Akande, expressed relief over the development but said the families were still waiting to see or speak with their loved ones.

“We cannot say anything for now. We are extremely overwhelmed. We received the news with happiness. I cannot say anything for now, please. We are truly happy. Let’s see them first or speak with them on the telephone.”

Meanwhile, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, commended the security agencies for their intervention, saying the government deliberately maintained discretion during the operation to avoid compromising the rescue effort.

‘’Because the issue involved the security of lives, the government was cautious about releasing too much information to the public; hence the discreet manner in which it was handled.”

The governor said he was “particularly grateful to the security agencies for the discreet and collaborative manner in which they tackled the challenge.”

Uzodimma also thanked the parents and relatives of the victims for their patience and understanding throughout the period of the abduction.

The Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress also welcomed the release.

The party’s publicity secretary, Dr Jones Onwuasoanya, said, ‘’We rejoice with the family and relatives of these young patriots for their successful rescue, and commend all the gallant security personnel who took part in this audacious and well-coordinated rescue operation for their professionalism, bravery and patriotism.”

The APC said efforts should continue to ensure the perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice.

The victims were among 30 graduates travelling in two buses from Ibadan to an NYSC orientation camp in Abia State when suspected gunmen abducted 20 of them.

The abductors reportedly demanded N50 million for each victim before later reducing the ransom to N5 million per person, bringing the total demand to N100 million.

The victims’ families had earlier appealed to the Olubadan and government authorities to intensify efforts to secure their release.