Author: TheScrutinyNG

Pakistani security forces have freed 155 passengers from a hijacked train as the operation to rescue the remaining hostages continues in the south-western province of Balochistan, officials said on Wednesday. The train, which was carrying around 450 passengers, including army personnel and their families, was targeted by more than 100 gunmen from the separatist Baloch Liberation Army on Tuesday afternoon. “A full-scale military operation is underway in which 27 terrorists have been killed,” security sources said. “Militants were using the passengers as shields and they have placed suicide bombers wearing explosive vests dangerously close to the hostages,” said a security…

By Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN NAVIGATING THE DYNAMICS OF THE POLICY DECISION OF AGF v. AG ABIA & 35 ORS. For the past two decades, funds allocated to States of the Federation (“States”) and Local Governments from the Federation Account are deposited into a joint account intended for both levels of government. According to Section 162 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (the “Constitution”), each Local Government is supposed to receive its rightful share from this account. However, many State Governors have deviated from this system by either withholding these funds entirely or disbursing only a portion…

By Kassim Afegbua The at-long-last-decision to write his memoirs, was quite a daunting one for General Babangida, who has over the years, refused to capitulate to pressure demands for him to write one. His reason was predicated on the fact that some people, and especially his itinerant critics would accuse him of writing at a time that some of the dramatis personae have exited this putrid plane; he wanted to let sleeping dogs lie. He said to me, “Prince, your colleagues in the media and civil society would ask pointedly, why now?” And, I told him his response should be…

By Kingsley Uwagbale The principal purpose of any government, whether at the national or state level, is to secure and protect the lives and properties of its citizens. Since December 2024, Edo State has been grappling with a resurgence of crime and insecurity and this has left many residents wondering how the State, which was repositioned as one of Nigeria’s safest places to live and do business during the Godwin Obaseki-led administration has now become so unsafe. The strategic and unique location of Edo State as a nodal State requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses immediate threats, strengthens institutions, and…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemns in very strong terms the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate over her allegation of sexual harassment against the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio. The PDP asserts that the action of the Akpabio-led Senate leadership against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan smacks of a desperation to cover up. The Party observes that the hasty suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan without an open investigation into the weighty allegation of sexual harassment against the Senate President not only negates the principle of fair hearing especially in parliamentary convention but also portrays the Senate as an institution that endorses,…

The Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo has urged the South East Development Commission to concentrate on one agenda or project at a time to achieve meaningful impact. Soludo made the call when he received the newly appointed members of SEDC, led by the Chief Executive Officer, Dr Emeka Nworgu, at the governor’s lodge in Awka on Friday. He urged the commission to focus on its initiatives in the next five years, emphasising the importance of effective delivery mechanisms to provide value to the people. “We should not waste this opportunity of having this commission. Adopt a one-point agenda, such…

The Edo Police Command has detained eight suspects, in connection with the alleged killing of a site engineer, Efe Ogbeide, during the leadership crisis in Obazagbon Community of Benin. The command’s Spokesman, CSP Moses Yamu, confirmed the development to newsmen on Thursday. Yamu identified Joshua Edo, the Chairman of the community youths, as the prime suspect. Other suspects, according to him, include; Obayuwana Happy, Uhunwangho Everest, Chidera Umeh, Simon Benjamin, Odion Adagbonyin, Kennedy Ohro, and Osayi Adagbonyin. Yamu said the suspects were caught by operatives of the Iyekogba Division’s Operation Rescue and Anti-Kidnapping Unit at different locations. According to him,…

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, announced on Tuesday that Nigeria and Belgium are set to strengthen economic cooperation to bolster food security. The Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Finance, Mr Mohammed Manga, disclosed this in a statement he signed and released in Abuja. According to the ministry’s Director of Information, the minister and the Belgian Ambassador, Mr Pieter Leenknegt, held a meeting to explore ways to facilitate cooperation in agriculture and food security. “At the meeting, Edun highlighted Nigeria’s improving economy, declining inflation, price stability, and increased savings in the federation…

The Nigerian Defence Academy has warned residents of Afaka, Kauya, and Mando in Kaduna State to steer clear of its open range during an upcoming shooting exercise. The academy’s Public Relations Officer, Maj. Muhammad Maidawa, announced in a statement issued to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Kaduna. Maidawa said the exercise had been scheduled to take place from February 26 to March 1, He said the exercise was part of the advanced application of fire package for the Army Cadets of the 72 Regular Course. According to him, the exercise will involve live firing of arms, adding…

By Kassim Afegbua   Ibrahim Babangida’s memoir, “A Journey in Service,” has expectedly dominated public discourse throughout the last week; even before, and after its launch on Thursday, 20 February at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. Given IBB’s stature, the event assembled the creme de la creme of Nigeria’s political and socio-economic empire; and of course, mouth-watering donations to support the author’s Presidential Library Project were collected. Anything and everything IBB, must be big and expectedly so, because here is a leader that cannot be pigeon-holed into any ethnic conclave, a humanist and a completely detribalised Nigerian, who cultivated…