News

By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan Apparently smelling a rat in the entire Oriire pupils and teachers kidnap saga, Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has taken his suspicions to the United Nations (UN), calling on the world body and international human rights organisations to investigate the abductions. The abductees were packed into the Old Oyo National Park bush on 15 May, but they were eventually rescued by combined security efforts on 7 July. The governor called for the UN and international bodies' investigation into the matter while speaking during a broadcast after receiving the rescued pupils and their teachers in his…

*As Oyo Central Senator Says ‘No Hiding Place For Criminals’ By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja (Arusa I), has lauded the intervention of President Bola Tinubu and security agencies, including local hunters, on the release of the kidnapped victims in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. This is just as the senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Yunnus Akintunde, declared that there is no longer safe haven for criminals. The victims, 47 in number, were kidnapped in Yawota and Ahoro Esinele communities in Oriire on 15 May,2026 while their release was secured on…

By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited (MEDL) has advised Enugu State residents to prioritise electrical safety during the rainy season to prevent accidents, electrocution, and damage to property. The firm's Head of Communications, Mr Emeka Ezeh, gave the advice on Monday in Enugu during a chat with newsmen following recent heavy rainfall, windstorms, and flooding experienced across parts of the state. "Customers and residents should remain indoors or seek safe shelter during rainfall and avoid taking refuge under trees or standing close to electricity poles, power lines, or other electrical installations, as these may pose serious safety risks,"…

By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu Enugu State Forest Guard has issued a new Order introducing comprehensive standards governing the dress code, operational turnout, accoutrements, corporate identity, discipline, and professional appearance for all officers and operatives of the body. The new policy, entitled 'Headquarters Standing Operational Order No. 178/2026', was announced by Commander of the State Forest Guard, Dr. Akinbayo Olasoji, in Enugu. He said the reforms are fully aligned with the vision of the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, to build a disciplined, intelligence-driven, technologically-enabled, and highly professional security architecture capable of safeguarding lives, property, forests, and other critical…

Tony Ezimakor Abuja Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew , the Director General of disputed Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Prince has in an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu raised concerns over his personal safety, even as he demands expansion of the scope of the inquiry assigned to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Commission (ICPC) by establishing a multi-stakeholder investigative panel. Prince Adeyemi raised the concern amid posers over the death of Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola, the alleged intermediary in the saga, whose demise and suspected coverup have continue to confound the general public. In the open letter…

*Makinde, Ayorinde, Lagos Speaker, NULGE, Joyful By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan The Nigeria Army has revealed how 44 kidnaped victims of Oriire Local Government Area (LGA) of Oyo State were rescued on Friday. The victims, pupils and teachers, were abducted by gunmen on 15 May, several weeks before they were rescued. The Army, in a statement on Friday, narrated how coordinated efforts of joint security forces resulted in the freedom of the victims. The statement, entitled: 'Kidnapped Students and Teachers in Oyo State Rescued, Following Surgical Intense and Well-Coordinated Operations in Old Oyo National Park and Other Parts of The Country',…

*After About 50 Days In Captivity Joy hit Oyo State today following disclosure that the kidnapped pupils and teachers from Orire in the state have regained their freedom, about 50 days after their abduction by terrorists. News of their release came in a post on X by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga. It stated: "Finally, the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo, have been freed by their abductors." Details surrounding their release, including whether ransom was paid, had yet to be disclosed. The pupils and teachers were abducted on 15 May, 2026, when gunmen, later widely identified as terrorists attacked…

By Emmanuel Ogoigbe, Warri Chairman of the nation's Body of Benchers (BOB), HRM Albert Akpomudje SAN, Eyavwien-Alaka I, has called on newly qualified lawyers in Nigeria to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct as they begin their legal careers. Speaking during the Call to Bar ceremony held this week in Abuja, Akpomudje congratulated the new legal practitioners on reaching a significant milestone in their professional journey. The legal luminary-monarch described their admission into the Nigerian Bar as both an honour and a solemn responsibility that demands unwavering commitment to justice, the rule of law, and service…

*Details Emerge Of How They Died‎‎By Sam Tyav, Makurdi ‎As members of the Father Adasu University community and family members continue to mourn the murder of Professor Gabriel Nyityo, the Benue State Police Command has arrested one Abdullahi Usman of Awe Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa State in connection with the assassination of the university don and his younger brother. ‎A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue State Command, Deputy Superintendent (DSP) Udeme Edet, in Makurdi on Thursday, disclosed that the Command's 'D' Division received a distress call along Adaka axis, and on arrival, police personnel…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has  arraigned Mr. Ahmed Adamu Dikko, former Managing Director of Port Harcourt Refining Company Ltd (PHRC), before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja. Nikko was arraigned on a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering. The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/360/2026 and dated and filed on June 22 by the Commission's counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, listed Dikko and Masterpiece Projects & Investment Limited as first and second defendants respectively.  Dikko, who led the Port Harcourt Refining Company for about four years, pleaded not guilty to a 12-count charge filed against him by the…