Author: Festus Adeloye

A combined force of security agencies has neutralised at least 27 individuals suspected of being kidnappers and members of the Eastern Security Network, the security arm of the Indigenous People of Biafra, in Enugu State. This comes as Governor Peter Mbah’s administration has declared a crackdown on Biafra separatist groups and other criminal elements. According to a statement from the Governor’s media office on Wednesday, the individuals were killed in various locations across the state over the past two weeks during shootouts with security operatives. The statement noted that some of those neutralised were loyal to Simon Ekpa, also known…

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) on Tuesday arrested the Permanent Secretary of the Kano Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ibrahim Kabara, along with the State ALGON Chairman and interim Council Chairman of Tarauni Local Government, Abdullahi Bashir. The duo and five other individuals were detained in connection with alleged corruption in the procurement of drugs and medical equipment for Kano State’s 44 local governments. The commission has also invited the Managing Director of Novomed Pharmaceuticals, Musa Garba, and the nephew of former Kano State Governor Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, for questioning as part of…

Chelsea and England midfielder Conor Gallagher has signed for Spanish side Atletico Madrid, the Premier League club announced on Wednesday. The move could trigger the arrival of Atletico forward Joao Felix with Chelsea reportedly agreeing a £40 million ($51 million) fee to bring the 24-year-old back to Stamford Bridge. Felix had a disappointing six-month loan spell at Stamford Bridge in the second half of the 2022-23 season, scoring four goals in 20 appearances. Gallagher completed his permanent transfer after an intended move to the La Liga side collapsed last week when Chelsea were unable to agree a deal for Madrid…

Anambra State House of Assembly has mourned former Deputy Speaker, Harford Oseke, who died on Monday at 64 years. Speaker of the House, Somtochukwu Udeze, described Oseke’s death as a “rude shock and devastating to the Legislative Institution in general and Anambra State House of Assembly in particular.” According to a statement on Tuesday by the Speaker’s spokesman, Emma Madu, Udeze said the “late Deputy Speaker was able to give a good account of his stewardship, especially in his political career where he empowered a lot of people in addition to constructing numerous constituency projects.” In an emotion-laden voice, Udeze…

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on its members to prepare for a nationwide strike starting at midnight on Tuesday if any harm comes to NLC President Joe Ajaero. This move follows a recent police invitation for Ajaero to address allegations of terrorism financing. The NLC’s decision comes after a contentious police raid on its national secretariat in Abuja. Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun justified the raid by stating it was part of an investigation into a terrorism-related crisis connected to recent nationwide protests. The police also suggested the raid was to uncover materials related to seditious activities, particularly…

The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has unveiled the Team of the Year for the 2023/24 Premier League season, showcasing an exceptional lineup of talent across the league. The selected team includes players known for their defensive strength, midfield creativity, and attacking prowess. The announcement was made on Tuesday through the PFA’s official social media account, X. This year’s lineup features a strong representation from Arsenal and Manchester City, along with notable players from Aston Villa and Liverpool. The 2023/24 PFA Premier League Team of the Year includes: David Raya (Arsenal) Kyle Walker (Manchester City) William Saliba (Arsenal) Gabriel (Arsenal) Virgil…

The West African Examinations Council has announced the opening of online portals for school recognition and the upload of Continuous Assessment Scores for the upcoming 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination. Schools wishing to present candidates for the 2025 WASSCE are urged to complete their recognition process and upload the necessary CASS data within the stipulated deadlines. A late Monday statement, referenced as BN/ZC/MOE/15/VOL.2/139 and signed by Mr A. Adebolu, Head of Exams for the Branch Controller, was addressed to school principals and titled “WASSCE (SC) 2025: OPENING OF ONLINE PORTALS FOR SCHOOL RECOGNITION AND UPLOAD OF CASS 1…

The Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday said Nigeria’s future is lost if the party loses the oil-rich Rivers State. Amid the crisis rocking the Rivers chapter of the party, PDP BoT members visited the oil-rich state on Tuesday. During the visit, they met with the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara at the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital. Chairman of the BoT, Senator Adolphus Wabara, said the members were in the oil-rich state in search of peace and unity of the PDP because they were scared of losing Rivers State. Wabara,…

Former Deputy Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Harford Oseke is dead. He was 64 years and hailed from Umuawulu in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State. The circumstances surrounding his death are still sketchy. While some reports say Oseke collapsed during his regular exercise routine at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka on Monday, others reveal that he had been sick and had been in the hospital until the story of his death broke on Monday. He was a law graduate and had recently completed his Ph.D. in Public Administration at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara on Tuesday received the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), BoT members in a move to put to rest months of speculations that he had left the party. The delegation included the BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara; former Chairman, Ahmed Makarfi; elder stateman, Olabode George and Senator Abdul Ningi. While there have been calls for Governor Fubara to leave the party for the APC, sympathisers insist that the chances of the number 1 citizen of the state winning a second term in office, remain slim if he stays put. The governor has however remained mute on his…