Nigeria

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has dismissed six political appointees and placed another official on suspension.

The development was made public on Tuesday through a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Samuel Jatau, according to NAN.

Jatau explained that the action forms part of efforts by the state government to improve performance and strengthen service delivery across various offices.

Those removed from their positions include Timothy Golu, the governor’s special adviser on strategic communication, and Fom Gwottson, liaison officer for Jos South. Others are Nanbol Rimvyat and Nannim Langyi, who served as liaison officers for Langtang North.

Also affected are Paul Datugum and Nimchat Rims, who held similar roles in Qua’an Pan and Langtang South respectively.

In a related move, the governor approved the suspension of Johnbull Shekarau, chairman of the Plateau State House of Assembly Service Commission, over alleged actions said to be inconsistent with the expectations of his office.

The SSG did not disclose specific reasons for the dismissal of the six appointees. He, however, instructed them to return all government property in their possession to the appropriate authorities.

Jatau added that the governor appreciated the contributions of the affected officials during their time in office and wished them success in their future pursuits.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on political parties in Osun State to promptly notify the commission of any concerns or irregularities observed during the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mutiu Agboke, said the move would enable the commission to take appropriate action where necessary.

Agboke spoke with journalists on Monday during an inspection tour of registration centres across the state. He led a team of INEC officials to assess the conduct of the exercise and engage with party representatives at the various locations visited.

The monitoring exercise covered centres such as Ilare Methodist Primary School in Ward 7, Obokun Local Government Area; Saint Andrew Primary School in Ada 1 Ward 7, Boripe Local Government Area; and Holy Michael Primary School in Olonde, Ikirun, Ward 8, Ifelodun Local Government Area.

He explained that the visit was designed to confirm that the registration process was orderly and transparent. He added that the commission needed direct feedback from its staff and party agents involved in the exercise.

“Many people are not aware that the registration exercise has been moved to the Registration Area level, and we must monitor what our staff are doing there,” he said.

Agboke noted that it was important for the commission to observe activities on the ground rather than rely solely on reports.

“There may be issues that we are not aware of and that may not be brought to my attention. That is why we decided not to remain in the office but to come to the field and hear directly from the party agents.

“When we come out like this, they will see that we are following up on what our staff are doing. The essence is simply monitoring, nothing more, nothing less,” he stated.

On political campaigns, the REC described them as internal matters of the parties. He, however, said INEC would continue to keep track of developments to ensure compliance with electoral rules.

“Campaigns are internal arrangements of the political parties. We may monitor them, but for now there has not been any formal invitation to us. However, we are tracking the activities of the parties and will carry out oversight where necessary,” he said.

Agboke also addressed the timeline for the voter registration exercise. He disclosed that the process is expected to continue until close to the election period, after which it will be paused to allow for the production of Permanent Voter Cards.

“The totality of the exercise may run until around August, but before the election in Osun the registration will stop so that all cards can be printed and distributed to voters,” he explained.

At the centres visited, representatives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Accord Party were present. Security personnel were also on ground to maintain order throughout the exercise.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A tragic ordeal has taken a turn for the worse for a kidnapped National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, simply identified as Abba, who remains in the clutches of his abductors despite the payment of a substantial ransom.

According to sources close to the victim’s family, the terrorists had initially demanded a significant sum for the release of the corps member, who was seized in Zamfara State. After weeks of agonizing negotiations, the family and associates managed to raise the funds to meet the captors’ demands.

Reliable sources disclosed that the ransom payment, amounting to ₦10 million in cash, was delivered to the bandits. In addition to the monetary payment, the terrorists also insisted on, and received, two brand-new motorcycles as part of the agreed-upon terms for Abba’s release.

However, in a cruel twist that has left the family devastated, the armed group reneged on the agreement immediately after collecting the ransom and the motorcycles. It is understood that the terrorists are now making fresh demands, insisting on an additional motorcycle before they will free the hostage.

The development has plunged the family into deeper despair, having exhausted their resources to gather the initial ransom. Abba, a corps member serving his fatherland, has now spent an extended period in captivity.

Authorities in Zamfara State have repeatedly advised against the payment of ransom to bandits, arguing that it fuels further abductions. Nonetheless, desperate families often resort to private negotiations and payments in a bid to secure the freedom of their loved ones.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no official confirmation from the police regarding the latest development in the case. The family is reportedly at a loss, unsure of how to meet the new demand.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Security operatives have taken into custody a suspected bandit identified online as Sule Yellow, following a viral TikTok livestream that allegedly showed kidnapping activities and ransom proceeds.

Sule Yellow gained widespread attention after appearing in a livestream on March 4. In the footage, he was seen alongside another suspected bandit known as Auta, as well as other members of their group. The individuals were alleged to have spoken openly about their operations and made claims about involvement in kidnappings.

A separate video now circulating on X shows the suspect in handcuffs while surrounded by soldiers. The officers are seen questioning him about weapons believed to be linked to his group.

The clip also captures security personnel displaying a polythene bag said to contain ransom money. The funds are believed to have been recovered from a recent kidnapping associated with the gang.

Authorities are yet to issue an official statement that provides full details surrounding the arrest.

The development comes amid ongoing military efforts to dismantle bandit networks responsible for attacks on communities and abductions for ransom.

In a related move on Monday, the police command in Ondo state arrested four individuals accused of supplying logistics to kidnappers. According to the police spokesperson, those arrested have made “useful confessional statements that are currently aiding ongoing investigations”.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Several passengers were injured on Monday morning after a train travelling along the Kaduna–Abuja route was involved in a collision.

The incident happened while the train was on its way from Kaduna to Abuja. During the journey, it ran into another train on the same track. The impact forced the service to come to a sudden halt.

Witnesses said the force of the crash caused a sharp jolt inside the coaches. Some passengers were thrown against seats and metal parts within the compartments. A number of them suffered cuts and bruises.

One of the passengers, Sada Malumfashi, recounted his experience in a post shared shortly after he disembarked from the train.

“Just dropped from the Kaduna-Abuja train. We heard a loud bang and the train jolted to a stop flinging people across. Passengers got hit and most are bleeding and severely injured. Train delayed for some 30 minutes and resumed to Kubwa. No communication from @info_NRC on anythin,” he wrote.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirmed the incident in a statement. It said the collision occurred around 10:30 am near Asham. According to the agency, the accident involved a rear locomotive and a passenger coach. Early findings suggest that a coupling fault led to the crash.

The NRC stated that injured passengers were “quickly” attended to before they were moved to a nearby hospital for further treatment. It also confirmed that no lives were lost.

The corporation added that technical teams were sent to the scene. It said officials from the safety investigation bureau were also present to carry out a detailed probe in line with safety procedures.

Rail incidents have occurred on the route in the past. In August 2025, a train heading from Abuja to Kaduna derailed. Several coaches left the track after the train reportedly missed a point. Footage from the scene showed stranded passengers and bystanders along the railway line.

By Uzair Adam

An eight-year-old girl, Siyama Idris, has died after falling on an exposed iron rod at an ongoing road and drainage construction site in Tudun Wada quarters of Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano.

An eyewitness, Abdulrashid Yusuf, said the incident occurred on Saturday near Tudun Wada Primary School, where reconstruction and expansion of the road, including drainage construction, is currently ongoing.

Yusuf explained that the girl had been sent to a nearby provision shop to buy something for iftar when the tragedy happened.

According to him, residents usually cross the drainage through a makeshift wooden plank bridge because there is no proper pedestrian passage at the construction site.

“The girl was sent to buy something at a shop for iftar,” Yusuf said, noting that people in the area normally rely on a wooden plank, locally called gadar katako, to cross the drainage.

He said while attempting to cross close to the construction area, the girl slipped and fell onto an exposed iron rod used in the drainage structure.

“The iron rod was not covered. When she fell, it penetrated her stomach,” he said, adding that the child died at the scene before she could be rushed to a hospital.

Residents blamed the incident on poor safety measures at the construction site, questioning why dangerous materials such as exposed iron rods were left uncovered in an area frequently used by pedestrians, including schoolchildren.

They warned that open drainage edges and uncovered construction materials pose serious risks to residents and called on authorities to enforce stricter safety precautions at project sites.

The incident comes days after another accident on Friday when a teenage boy, believed to be about 15 years old, fell into a drainage along Badawa Road off Lamido Crescent shortly after Juma’at prayers.

The boy reportedly sustained injuries and had to break his fast while receiving treatment.

Residents have urged the authorities and contractors handling road and drainage projects in Kano to provide safer crossings and cover exposed metals to prevent similar incidents in the future.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Popular rapper Nicki Minaj has threatened to take legal action against a Nigerian user on X, identified as Dr Penking, following a comment about her age and career.

The controversy started after Dr Penking shared a post suggesting that the music star should retire. In the post, he wrote, “Nicki Minaj should understand that she has gotten old and retire”.

The remark drew a response from the Trinidadian-American artiste, who described it as harassment. In a post that was later deleted, she questioned the use of an old video attached to the tweet and hinted at legal steps.

“Do you have permission to use this video that I filmed years ago to harass me on this or any other platform? You’ve just been added to the suit. @TonyBuzbee2 check DM,” she wrote.

Despite the threat, Dr Penking defended his position. He insisted that his statement reflected his personal opinion and fell within his right to free speech.

“Tell Nicki Minaj that My self and my team are ready and eagerly anticipating her papers,” he wrote.

“Freedom of speech and expression is supreme in all constitutions in the world and I have the right to express my opinion at all times.

“Is she old? Yes she is 43. There is nothing harassing about this. It is a publicly accessible information on Wikipedia.

“Should she retire? I think she should. That’s my personal opinion and I stand by it. You can agree or disagree.

“I will not be bullied or intimidated by Nicki Minaj or any other “celebrity.”

The exchange has triggered reactions across social media platforms. Many users have debated whether the rapper has a strong legal basis to pursue the matter.

One user argued that the case may not stand, stating, “Nicki Minaj deleted her post about suing him because she can’t win a case based on this post.

“It’s his opinion, he didn’t defame her, he is also not the one who posted the video, he only shared it from the original poster’s page.

“Her lawyer must have made it clear to her.”

Others pointed to possible legal complications, especially across jurisdictions. They noted that while Minaj is based in the United States, any legal action against a Nigerian citizen may require filing a case in Nigeria under laws relating to cyberbullying or defamation.

The situation continues to generate discussion about free speech and online conduct, as well as the limits of criticism directed at public figures.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Imo State says it has uncovered a suspected child-trafficking operation in Owerri, where five pregnant women and five newborn babies were rescued during a security raid.

Officials also arrested two suspects believed to be connected to the facility where the illegal activity allegedly took place.

The Imo State Commandant of the NSCDC, Basil Igwebueze, made this known on Saturday while speaking with journalists in Owerri about recent operations carried out by the command.

According to him, the suspects were identified as Tochukwu Ogaranya, 52, and Godwin Nnamdi, 47. Both men were apprehended at an orphanage located in the World Bank area of the state capital.

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the commandant explained how the operation started. He said an officer of the corps noticed a pregnant teenager attempting to escape from the compound. The incident raised suspicion among security personnel.

“This prompted my officers to move into action at the orphanage, arrest the owner of the orphanage and rescue the pregnant women and newborn babies,” he said.

Igwebueze described child trafficking as a “heinous crime.” He warned that the corps would not allow such illegal activities to continue in the state.

He also praised residents who supplied information that helped security officials uncover the suspected operation. He urged members of the public to stay alert and report suspicious activities within their communities.

“If the residents of the state had not assisted us with the necessary information, the command would not have uncovered such a criminal act,” Igwebueze said.

However, the owner of the orphanage, Ogaranya, denied involvement in child trafficking. She maintained that the facility operates legally and has the required certification.

She explained that a 33-year-old woman identified as Chiamaka arrived at the orphanage while pregnant after she fled from a man who impregnated her in Abia State.

Ogaranya said she contacted the police about the situation. She added that officers indicated they would accompany the woman to Abia in order to apprehend the man responsible for the pregnancy.

According to her, workers later informed her that the woman had escaped from the orphanage premises.

She said the woman “scaled the fence of the compound and was later caught by the local vigilantes.”

Chiamaka, who is from Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, also gave her account of the incident. She said someone introduced her to the orphanage but she could hardly identify the person.

She explained that the individual told her she could give birth at the facility and later sell the baby.

Chiamaka said she eventually felt uneasy about the arrangement. She decided to flee from the premises after she could no longer endure the situation.

She said she “scaled the fence and ran away for her dear life.”

Igwebueze stated that investigations are ongoing. He added that the suspects will be charged in court.

The commandant also reaffirmed the corps’ determination to combat child trafficking and other crimes. He urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with useful information.

By Isyaka Laminu Badamasi

As Muslims, we are encouraged to support the vulnerable among us during the holy month of Ramadan, as acts of charity during this sacred period are multiplied in reward. Ramadan is a time devoted to ibadah (worship), compassion, and the pursuit of spiritual salvation. Both the Qur’an and the Hadith emphasise the importance of helping those in need, particularly during this blessed month.

Zakat, by its very concept, is an Islamic strategy for poverty alleviation and empowerment. It is designed to enhance economic well-being, improve livelihoods, significantly reduce the number of people living in poverty, and strategically increase the number of economically independent individuals. If this divine system is fully adopted and properly incorporated into our socio-economic structures, it can pave the way for a more prosperous, stable, and secure society. This principle is well supported by Islamic teachings, and more information can be obtained from the Zakat and Endowment Units within Shariah Commissions across Muslim-majority states.

As an observer—and someone who has had the opportunity to relate and work with people who serve as members of committees distributing Ramadan palliatives, Sadaqat, Zakat and other palliative programs —a thought often comes to mind during these exercises. The distribution packages usually target vulnerable individuals such as orphans, widows, persons with disabilities, the elderly, internally displaced persons, and those struggling to survive amid the multidimensional poverty affecting many communities in this part of the world.

While this gesture is noble and commendable, I strongly believe that some of these beneficiaries, with the right support, could become economically self-reliant and eventually leave the long queues for palliative collections—queues that, in some unfortunate cases, have even led to injuries or deaths. We can all remember the stampedes during palliative distributions across the country. 

Considering the hundreds of millions, or even billions, of Naira spent annually on Ramadan palliatives by wealthy individuals, corporate organisations, politicians, and governments — which is commendable and should be sustained — it may be worthwhile to redirect part of these resources, or allocate a specific portion toward empowerment initiatives.

For example, a modest sum of N10,000 or N20,000 can be enough to help some women start small income-generating activities. Interestingly, many of the food packages distributed during Ramadan or other palliative programs are often worth more than that amount. (I am not referring to those sharing cooked food or smaller packages) If such resources or separate allocation were converted into empowerment opportunities, they could promote sustainable development rather than temporary relief through the routine distribution of food items. Many professional entrepreneurs and social workers can attest to the long-term benefits of such an approach.

At Initiatives for Sustainable Development (I4SD), we are preparing to pilot this strategy by supporting a small group of vulnerable women through green-skills economic empowerment programs. Our aim is to create a practical model that Governments, philanthropists, corporate organisations, NGOs, and well-meaning individuals can replicate. We welcome professional support, partnerships, and collaboration to help actualise this vision for a more sustainable future—one filled with dignity, happiness, and social tranquillity.

ALLAH YA karbi ibadun mu, amin.

Isyaka Laminu Badamasi wrote via makwalla82@gmail.com.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the creation of a new Presidential Petroleum Reform & Value Optimisation Taskforce, tasking it with designing the next phase of structural reforms in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

The time-bound, high-level working group is chaired by Mr. Fola Adeola, a co-founder of Guaranty Trust Bank and founder of the Fate Foundation. The President has tasked the committee with producing execution-ready blueprints aimed at consolidating ongoing reforms, unlocking capital, and strengthening Nigeria’s position as a premier global energy investment destination.

The Taskforce includes a diverse group of members: Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, Osagie Okunbor, Abubakar Suleiman, Adaeze Aguele, Farouk Gumel, Phillipa Osakwe-Okoye, and Seyi Bella. Mofoluwasho Fadayomi will serve as secretary.

Operating as a technical reform body rather than a representative committee, the group is expected to engage industry operators, regulators, investors, and civil society as consultees while focusing on actionable policy design.

The Taskforce has been given a clear mandate to deliver three major reform blueprints within six months. According to a State House press release, the deliverables include:

1. Immediate Structural Fixes: An implementation toolkit featuring draft legislative amendments, executive instruments, and institutional restructuring proposals.
2. Capital & Liquidity Acceleration Blueprint: A strategy aimed at unlocking between $5–$10 billion in sectoral liquidity while safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereign interests.
3. National Energy Transformation Strategy: A ten-year roadmap with measurable targets for production, foreign exchange earnings, GDP contribution, and cost competitiveness.

The Taskforce will report directly to the President, providing monthly progress memoranda. An interim report is expected in three months, with final outputs due within six months of its inauguration.

To ensure coordination and avoid duplication, President Tinubu has directed all existing committees, teams, and working groups established under various reform initiatives within the sector to align their activities with the new Taskforce.

Furthermore, all relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have been instructed to provide full technical support and share institutional knowledge with the group. The Taskforce is designed to be a temporary body and will automatically dissolve upon submission and acceptance of its final report.

The Presidency stated that the creation of the Taskforce represents a strategic instrument to accelerate reforms, strengthen governance, and position Nigeria’s petroleum resources as a foundation for sustainable economic transformation.