I Refused To Pay N300m Ransom For My Abducted Brothers – Zamfara Gov, Lawal
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has revealed that he refused to pay a N300 million ransom demanded by kidnappers who abducted his brothers in 2019, saying he chose not to negotiate with the criminals rather than encourage the growing menace of kidnapping for ransom.
The governor said his decision was based on his conviction that paying ransom only emboldens criminal groups to continue abducting innocent people.
FCT Court Remands Danladi Umar Over Corruption Charges
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, sitting in Maitama has remanded the former Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar, at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
Justice Peter Kekemeke gave the remand order after Umar was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a four-count charge of conferring undue advantage on himself while serving as chairman of the CCT.
EFCC Arraigns Miyetti Allah Leader, Bodejo Over $2.33m Money Laundering
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday arraigned the leader of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, over an alleged $2.33 million money laundering offence.
Bodejo, who was earlier detained by the Department of State Services, DSS, before being transferred to the EFCC, was arraigned on a 12-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering.
FG Doubles Soldiers’ Minimum Salary To N100,000 – Defence Minister
The Federal Government says it has doubled the minimum monthly salary of Nigerian soldiers from N49,000 to N100,000 in its latest effort to improve troop welfare and strengthen morale.
Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, disclosed the salary review during an interview on TV. He described the development as one of the welfare improvements introduced by the current administration for military personnel.
Tinubu Approaches Governance As Serious Business – Wike
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has declared that President Bola Tinubu approaches governance as a serious business that must succeed, a mindset he credited with the unprecedented infrastructural revolution sweeping the nation’s capital.
Army Captain, Two Soldiers Feared Dead In Niger IED Explosion
A Nigerian Army captain and two soldiers have been feared dead after their patrol vehicle struck an improvised explosive device, IED, during a routine operation in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
A security source said the incident occurred on Tuesday at Maciyan-Kyada village in Babanna Ward when troops on patrol from Babanna town drove over an IED suspected to have been planted by terrorists.
N100,000 Salary Grossly Inadequate – Soldiers, Veterans Reject Musa’s Claim
Reactions have trailed the disclosure by the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, that Nigerian soldiers now earn a minimum monthly salary of N100,000.
Veterans and serving personnel described the amount as grossly inadequate, as they accused President Bola Tinubu of failing to implement a salary increment he promised nearly four months ago.
Tinubu Declines Assent To Two Bills, Cites Constitutional Defects
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday declined assent to two bills passed by the National Assembly, citing constitutional concerns and defects that require correction before the proposed legislation can become law.
The Senate was notified of the President’s decision through two separate letters read on the floor of the chamber by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Zamfara Police Repel Bandit Attacks, Rescue INEC Staff, Recover Cattle
The Zamfara State Police Command says it has repelled coordinated bandit attacks in Gummi, Talata Mafara and Gusau Local Government Areas, rescuing an abducted staff member of the Independent National Electoral Commission and other captives while recovering hundreds of rustled cattle.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday.
Court Awards N100m Damages Against Police Over Killing Of Onyekachi Mba
A Federal High Court in Calabar has awarded N100 million in damages against the Nigeria Police Force and other respondents over the torture and killing of a 22-year-old man, Onyekachi Mba.
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu delivered the judgment on Thursday in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the deceased’s mother, Mrs Victoria Mba, through her counsel, Chief Roland Ndubuka.
PFIPC: Gbajabiamila Will Not Be Sacked – Wike
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that Femi Gbajabiamila will not be sacked from his position as Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.
Naija News reports that Wike spoke on Thursday during his monthly media chat in Abuja.
Speaking against the allegations of Gbajabiamila’s involvement in the scandal over a fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Wike denied any involvement by Gbajabiamila, saying he knows the Chief of Staff very well.
He also ruled out the possibility of Gbajabiamila’s suspension, despite calls from opposition parties for his suspension over links to the PFIPC scandal.
The Minister described calls from opposition members, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, on Gbajabiamila’s suspension as rubbish.
According to him, the Chief of Staff is being targeted as a way to embarrass President Tinubu.
El-Rufai Fought Buhari Because Of You – Wife Tells Tinubu
The wife of the embattled governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, Asiya El-Rufai, has responded to suggestions that her husband is viewed as a political threat.
El-Rufai wondered why anyone would fear political competition, arguing that democracy should allow opponents to compete freely rather than be intimidated.
Naija News reports that the lawyer stated this during an appearance on Arise Television.
While reiterating that President Bola Tinubu should not interfere with the trial, El-Rufai also recalled her family’s support for his 2023 election, saying they expected only “basic courtesy” in return.
She added that although the President may not have the power to stop the prosecution, he has the authority to ensure the relevant agencies act fairly and uphold the law.
Turaki PDP Faction Deceiving People, INEC Has Given Us Access Codes – Wike
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given his faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) access codes for the 2027 election.
He also accused the PDP faction led by Kabiru Turaki of deceiving Nigerians, arguing that the faction does not have access to INEC access codes to upload candidates for the 2027 elections.
Naija News reports that Wike made the declaration about the PDP leadership tussle on Thursday while speaking to newsmen during his monthly media chat in Abuja.
According to him, INEC only gives access codes for candidate upload to recognized political parties, and the electoral umpire has given the codes to the PDP faction loyal to him, and they are already uploading their candidates.
The Minister argued that the Turaki faction has collected money from some aspirants and is relying on the outcome of court cases to be able to participate in the 2027 polls.
Bandits Threatened To Kill Abducted Oyo Children – Defence Minister
The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has revealed that terrorists responsible for the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State threatened to kill the captives if security forces attempted to rescue them.
The Minister made the disclosure in a preview of an interview with News Central released on Wednesday ahead of the full broadcast scheduled for Friday.
According to him, the bandits are using the victims as leverage to try to secure the release of some of their commanders who are in the custody of security forces.
He, however, added that the government is making great efforts at tackling kidnapping and banditry across the country, stating that he supports the death penalty for convicted perpetrators.
Musa recommended stronger punishments to deter violent crimes.
Court Remands Ex-CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar In Kuje Prison
The Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, has ordered the remand of the former Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, in the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Naija News reports that the decision was taken on Thursday when the court heard the alleged corruption charges against Umar.
Justice Peter Kekemeke issued the remand order after the federal government arraigned the former CCT boss on four counts of corruption.
According to the federal government, its investigations revealed that the defendant abused his official position by conferring an undue advantage on himself while he served as head of the tribunal.
It was alleged that in 2021, he used his wife’s bank account to collect the sum of ₦5.5 million from a contractor engaged to paint the headquarters of the CCT in Abuja.
The federal government further alleged that on January 25, 2024, the defendant also used his wife’s account to collect ₦6 million from a contractor who handled the digitisation of the CCT’s records.
Also, the defendant was accused of directing another contractor to pay ₦2.43 million as his daughter’s tuition at Baze University, Abuja.
He was said to have committed offences punishable under section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Umar, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
‘You Can’t Ridicule Him’ – Kwankwaso Fires Presidency Over Peter Obi, El-Rufai Matters
The Vice Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has berated the presidency over its recent statement on Peter Obi, in which the former governor was described as a serial liar.
Kwankwaso, in a statement on Thursday, said the presidency’s response to the NDC presidential candidate’s outcry is undemocratic and a cause for deep concern.
Naija News recalls that the presidency had dismissed Peter Obi’s claims that he is being targeted by the federal government.
In a statement on Wednesday night, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described Obi’s allegations as false, misleading and designed to attract public sympathy.
However, Kwankwaso, in his reaction, said worries about Obi’s personal safety or that of any Nigerian should not result in insults and derogatory language from the presidency.
The former Governor of Kano State said restraint and maturity were expected from the presidency.
Touching on the emotional appeal from the El-Rufai family to President Bola Tinubu about the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, Kwankwaso called on the government to ensure the matter is handled with transparency, accountability, and justice, adding that every citizen deserves a fair and quick trial.
He also called on the government to address concerns raised by the El-Rufai family on the health of the former governor.
I Don’t Care What Fraternity He Belongs To – Brymo Vows To Take Revenge On Burna Boy
Nigerian singer Brymo has renewed his public disagreement with fellow artiste Burna Boy, saying he still feels offended by the Grammy-winning musician and intends to settle the matter in his own way.
Speaking during a recent appearance on the Notjustok podcast, Brymo revisited the long-running feud between the two singers.
Naija News reports that he said the dispute remained unresolved in his mind and described Burna Boy’s past remarks as an offence against him.
The disagreement between the artistes became public in 2023 when Brymo accused Burna Boy of drawing ideas from his work.
Burna Boy later responded through a freestyle that included a lyric referencing Brymo, a line that quickly circulated widely on social media and music platforms.
During the podcast conversation, Brymo said he no longer wanted his name connected to Burna Boy’s music.
He also stated that he did not consider Burna Boy an equal rival and maintained that the matter had gone beyond ordinary competition in the music industry.
Brymo added that Burna Boy had crossed a line by the way he handled the disagreement.
He said the issue was personal to him and suggested that he would not let it pass without a response.
‘I’m Now Ugly’ – Nigerian TikToker, Peller Recounts Experience In Police Cell
Nigerian TikToker cum streamer, Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, has shared his experience after spending almost four days in police custody.
Naija News recalls that Peller was recently arrested in the Lekki area of Lagos, following a confrontation with police officers over a tinted vehicle without a number plate.
Peller and his associate, Bello Oladipo, were later granted ₦500,000 bail by a Lagos Magistrate’s Court after they were arraigned over allegations of obstructing police officers during an operation.
Following his release, Peller took to his Snapchat account to recount his time in custody, revealing that he neither bathed nor ate while in detention.
According to Peller, he has never experienced such an incident in his life.
Alonso Officially Assumes Duty As Chelsea Coach
Chelsea Football Club have begun a new era under Xabi Alonso after the Spaniard resumed duty as the club’s new head coach.
Alonso, who was appointed in May, arrived at the club’s training base in Cobham on Thursday as preparations began for his reign at Stamford Bridge.
The 44-year-old joins the London club with coaching experience from Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid.
Chelsea confirmed Alonso’s arrival in a video shared by the club on Thursday.
Naija News reports that Alonso’s appointment fills the vacancy created by the sacking of Liam Rosenior following a disappointing campaign.
Arsenal Confirm Signing Of Goalkeeper Illan Meslier
Arsenal have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Illan Meslier from Leeds United, with the Frenchman becoming the club’s latest addition ahead of the new season.
Illan Meslier, 26, arrives after spending seven seasons at Elland Road, where he made 215 appearances across all competitions and registered 70 clean sheets. The move remains subject to the completion of the required regulatory processes.
Meslier began his professional career at French club Lorient, progressing through the academy before signing his first senior contract in February 2018. He made his first-team debut later that year, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 Coupe de la Ligue win over Valenciennes at the age of 18.
His impressive displays during the 2018/19 campaign earned him a loan move to Leeds United in August 2019. He made his debut for the Yorkshire club in an FA Cup third-round tie against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in January 2020 before helping Leeds secure promotion to the Premier League.
Leeds completed his permanent transfer after promotion, and Meslier went on to establish himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper. He made 107 Premier League appearances during his spell, bringing valuable top-flight experience to Mikel Arteta’s squad.
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