The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Kwara youths vandalise NDLEA, palace over kidnapping, terrorism cases

    Kwara youths vandalise NDLEA, palace over kidnapping, terrorism cases

    Scores of residents of Lafiagi in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State yesterday protested against repeated cases of terrorism, kidnapping and killings in their communities.

    The protesters, predominantly youths from the area, voiced frustration over what they termed government inaction in the face of continued violence.

    In a viral video clip, the youths chanted solidarity songs and waved placards, demanding urgent intervention to curb the bloodshed and abductions disrupting daily life.

    The irate youths set fire to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) office in Lafiagi and vandalised the palace of the Emir of Lafiagi, smashing windows and damaging parts of the building.

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    A resident said: “We have been crying and dying in silence. People are being kidnapped every week. We don’t sleep with both eyes closed anymore, and nobody, neither the governor, the chairman, nor even the Emir, is doing anything about it.”

    ‎Another resident said: ‎“The youths are exhausted, and there has been no concrete action from the government. The frequency of attacks has increased, which is why the protest erupted today.”

  • Four policemen feared killed in foiled attack on Benue community

    Four policemen feared killed in foiled attack on Benue community

    Four mobile police officers were feared killed by suspected herdsmen in Udei, Nyiev ward of Guma Local Council Area, in Benue State

    The incident occurred on Sunday evening. Uwei Community is located off Makurdi- Lafia Federal highway.

    The Nation gathered from a local resident that the security operatives, who were stationed at Udei, were alerted that herdsmen were advancing towards Udei.

    The police were said to have acted promptly and moved to the location.

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    Even though the police were able to foil the attack, they  unfortunately lost four officers in the process.

    He said that the rifles of all the slain officers were taken away by the herdsmen.

    Benue Police Command said they are yet to get information on the attacked.

  • Reps congratulate Customs CG Adeniyi on election as WCO chairperson

    Reps congratulate Customs CG Adeniyi on election as WCO chairperson

    The House of Representatives has congratulated the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on his election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO).

    Adeniyi was elected during the 145th and 146th Council Sessions of the WCO held in Brussels, Belgium.

    The WCO Council, comprising heads of 186 Customs administrations globally, is the organisation’s highest decision-making body.

    The House described Adeniyi’s election as a monumental achievement and a source of national pride, reflecting the international recognition of the reforms and professionalism he has brought to the Nigeria Customs Service.

    Chairman of the House Committee on Customs and Excise, Hon. Leke Abejide, praised Adeniyi’s visionary leadership and expressed confidence in his ability to steer the global Customs community effectively in his new role.

    Read Also: CGC Adeniyi elected as WCO council chairperson

    He said, “The election of CGC Adewale Adeniyi is a significant milestone for Nigeria and Africa at large. It reflects his unwavering dedication to reform, transparency, and innovation in the Nigeria Customs Service.

    “We are confident he will bring the same level of professionalism and integrity to this new responsibility at the helm of the WCO Council.”

    The House of Representatives reaffirms its support for the Nigeria Customs Service and remains committed to strengthening legislative oversight that promotes institutional excellence and fosters international cooperation.

  • New Ondo police commissioner vows tough crackdown on kidnappers, violent crimes

    New Ondo police commissioner vows tough crackdown on kidnappers, violent crimes

    …former CP confirms redeployment to Abuja on IGP’s order

    The newly deployed Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Adebowale Lawal, has pledged to tackle rising insecurity across the state, with a special focus on combating kidnapping and other violent crimes.

    Lawal made the vow on Monday during a formal handover ceremony at the state police headquarters in Akure, where he officially took over from the outgoing Commissioner, Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi.

    His deployment follows the removal of Afolabi last week by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

    Afolabi has since been redeployed to the Force Headquarters in Abuja to oversee administration at the Department of Training and Development (DTD).

    Although reports linked Afolabi’s removal to the recent June 12 Democracy Day protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore in Akure, the former CP dismissed the claims as misleading.

    Speaking shortly after assuming office, Lawal warned that his administration would not tolerate kidnapping, cultism, or other criminal activities.

    He emphasised the importance of intelligence-driven policing, professional conduct, prompt response to emergencies, and strong collaboration with other security agencies and stakeholders.

    He also reaffirmed his commitment to upholding human rights while ensuring increased police visibility across the state.

    “So, I’ve the confidence that with the management team around me and with the support of the good people of Ondo state, we are going to achieve more successes in these areas to fight crime together.

    “I hereby call on all the stakeholders, the military, NSCDC, and non-state actors to give all the support they gave my predecessor.

    “I have taken the responsibility. It is a challenge. I want to assure everybody that it will live up to expectations,” the new CP said.

    He assured that his term in the police command would build on the achievements of his predecessor to rid the state of criminals.

    Read Also: Police bust syndicate responsible for 2015 abduction of pharmacist

    Mr Lawal also called on the residents of the state to join hands with him in addressing the challenges threatening their peace and livelihood.

    He, however, issued a stern warning to miscreants and potential criminals to stay away from the state, saying the police command is battle-ready to rid the state of all crime and criminality.

    “All I will request is the support of everyone, the stakeholders, because security is not only the responsibility of the police. 

    “The areas where we need to address, where we need to re-strategise, the outgoing CP has briefed me, and we are going to work on those areas.

    “I want to thank the IGP for giving me this opportunity to take charge of this command, and I want to assure him that I will not disappoint,” Lawal added

    Remarking, the outgoing CP asked the people of the state to extend support to his successor in office.

    Afolabi also used the occasion to deny the link of his redeployment from the state to the protest held by Omoyele Sowore, saying his removal was just a routine posting.

    He, however, highlighted that his short stay in the state tenure recorded some success, which included the arrest and prosecution of over 30 kidnappers, 83 cult groups, armed robbers, and car snatchers, amongst others.

  • Nigeria committed to democracy in Africa – Odumegwu-Ojukwu

    Nigeria committed to democracy in Africa – Odumegwu-Ojukwu

    …pledges technical assistance as Malawi mulls Embassy in Abuja

    Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has reinstated the country’s commitment to entrenching democracy in Africa.

    Odumegwu-Ojukwu also pledged the country’s support to Malawi in the country’s forthcoming general elections in September this year.

    The minister disclosed this during an audience with the Republic of Malawi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Nancy Gladys Tembo, who paid her a courtesy visit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tafawa Balewa House, Abuja.

    Odumegwu-Ojukwu, according to a statement by her media aide, Mr. Magnus Eze, stated that promotion of democracy was one of the pillars of the foreign policy approach of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration, codenamed the “4Ds”, which comprises the key elements of Democracy, Development, Demography and Diaspora. 

    Odumegwu-Ojukwu said, “I know too that the Nigerian Government would support Malawi in its general elections coming up in September this year. In our President’s 4-Ds foreign policy thrust, Democracy is a major plank. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to seeing democracy entrenched in African States.”

    The minister, who was informed of definite plans by Malawi to open its Embassy in Abuja this year, said it was a welcome development, stressing that it would bolster the bilateral relationship between both countries.

    She regretted that the two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) signed between both countries in 2012 had not been activated, but expressed optimism that the East African country’s Embassy in Abuja would enhance their bilateral ties.

    Read Also: Bianca Ojukwu distances self from online offers, demand for payment

    “We have two MOUs that need to be reactivated. They were signed in 2012 after President Goodluck Jonathan visited Malawi. So, we’re looking forward to your opening the Embassy.

    “Nigeria got Independence in 1960, and Malawi followed in 1964. Surprisingly, Nigeria and Malawi have not been able to concretise our excellent bilateral relationship. I think your opening a resident diplomatic mission here will herald a new era in our country-to-country engagements,” she said.

    Odumegwu-Ojukwu also urged Malawi to take advantage of Nigeria’s Technical Aids Corps and bridge the gap caused by the shortage of trained teachers in its basic education system and any other areas the country might require manpower.

    She said, “You just talked about the lack of trained teachers; Nigeria can provide technical assistance to Malawi under the South-South Cooperation. So, our Technical Aids Corps is there to assist by sending technical manpower. Nigeria pays these volunteers. Countries like Namibia are already enjoying this assistance. We recently approved their request for 40 nurses.”

    Earlier, Malawi’s Foreign Affairs Minister told Odumegwu-Ojukwu that she took advantage of the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meeting 2025 in Abuja to visit her and build closer relationships with Nigerian authorities.

    Aside, announcing plans by her country to open its Embassy in Abuja, Tembo noted that Malawi was determined to strengthen its bilateral relationship with Nigeria.

    The visiting minister said, “The Afreximbank meeting was an opportunity for people to meet. My country is looking forward to bilateral cooperation with Nigeria. Already, we are comfortable with Nigerians doing business in Malawi. We want to strengthen bilateral cooperation with Nigeria. Afreximbank has helped us to awaken our relationship.”

    Tembo, who praised Nigerian businessmen in Malawi, highlighted that adequate trade had been going on between Nigeria and Malawi, though not reported.

    Therefore, she invited Nigerian investors to prospect in the country’s rich mineral deposits.

    “Over the years, we were relying solely on agriculture, but we’ve realised that we have huge endowments of minerals. So, we invite investors in mining, including Nigerians. We recently established a mining regulatory agency,” the Malawian Minister said.

    She described her visit to Nigeria as exciting, and looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in Malawi.

    The envoy was joined on the visit by the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Mwayiwawo Polepole and Director of Africa, Francis Mphatso Mponda.

  • YEIDEP launches $2.5B global donorship drive to empower youths, women

    YEIDEP launches $2.5B global donorship drive to empower youths, women

    The Federal Government, in collaboration with Youths Off The Street Initiative (YOTSI), has launched the “YEIDEP Global Donorship Drive and Fundraising Campaign”, which aims to raise $2.5 billion for the implementation of the “Cooperative Youth Farmers and Allied Entrepreneurs Programme (CYFAEP)”, a sub-scheme of the “Youth Economic Intervention and De-Radicalisation (YEIDEP).

    YEIDEP is a national youth economic empowerment programme anchored and driven by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, in collaboration with YOTSI and several global donors and development partners.

    YEIDEP was formed to address critical social and economic threats facing Nigeria, especially youth unemployment, food insecurity, household poverty, youth economic exclusion and radicalisation.

    Speaking at the unveiling ceremony of the “YEIDEP Global Donorship Drive and Fundraising Campaign”,  the Coordinator-General of YEIDEP, Comrade Kennedy Iyere, stated that the programme has registered approximately six million youths and young women as members, to create and build a national grassroots network of twenty million cooperative youth farmers, food and agro-allied entrepreneurs between 2025/2027.

    According to him, this will engender drastic youth and women unemployment reduction, boost food production and ensure food security, alleviate household poverty, foster youth economic inclusion and de-radicalisation.

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    He noted that the programme will empower youths and young women with the financial, technical, training, mentorship and other supports needed to succeed as young farmers, food and agro-allied entrepreneurs.

    Iyere added that YEIDEP has partnered with eight commercial banks, including Keystone Bank, Fidelity Bank, Lotus Bank, Union Bank, Wema Bank, Zenith Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank and Providus Bank, to receive, warehouse, and distribute funds for the program’s implementation.

    He said, “The launch of the YEIDEP Global Donorship Drive and Fundraising Campaign marks a significant step towards achieving YEIDEP’s objectives, designed to address Nigeria’s key problems of chronic youth unemployment, youth and women economic exclusion, food insecurity, household poverty, youth hopelessness and radicalisation. 

    “The success of the donorship drive and fundraising campaign will depend on the response and generous support of global donors, development partners, and Nigerians in general, comprising governments at the federal and state levels, private business organisations, captains of industries, business leaders and other elites.

    “YEIDEP’s goal is to empower twenty million young Nigerians, both youths and women, with direct jobs through entrepreneurship and self-employment revolution, involving key sectors, including agriculture, food and beverage, agro-allied, agritech and renewal energy among others,  thereby boosting job creation, food security, poverty reduction,  economic growth, political stability, and national security in Nigeria.”, Iyere said

    He added, “The existing necessity and urgency to tackle Nigeria’s critical threats of chronic youth unemployment, food crisis (food insecurity), household poverty, youth hopelessness, and radicalisation is the reason for YEIDEP’s formation. Unless these key social and economic problems are drastically addressed, Nigeria remains a fragile country dangerously sitting on a keg of gunpowder, as the time bomb of youth unemployment ticks daily towards a disastrous explosion whose consequences will be more damaging than could ever be imagined. This is why YEIDEP must be embraced and supported by all Nigerians, beyond political interest and affiliation.”

  • Tompolo excited over partnership between NUJ, Tantita

    Tompolo excited over partnership between NUJ, Tantita

    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tantita Security Services Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemuokpolo has applauded the Nigeria media in its strategic role in the fight against oil theft.

    Tompolo, who received the National, Zonal and State leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in his country home at Oporoza, headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom, weekend, noted that the media has been pivotal in the achievements of Tantita.

    He said Tantita today is globally recognised among first rate security companies in the world due to unfettered media reportage of the activities of Tantita Security Services.

    “All over the world, it is because of your work that people are seeing what we’re doing. Considering what the media is doing for us (Tantita), what we came to commission (building of the NUJ Warri Correspondents Chapel Secretariat), is small compared to what they are doing.

    “We want to use this medium to thank the immediate past president and the incumbent for giving us this opportunity to serve our country.

    “You need to work more harder. We can only achieve our aims and objectives if we work together. We cannot achieve it alone.

    “We have to put in all that we have – everything – to see that Nigerian waterways are regarded as the most secured. We can only achieve this together “, the reverred Ijaw leader stressed.

    Earlier, the National President of NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahya told Tompolo that the leadership of the NUJ was in Oporoza to thank him for the state of the art Press Centre built by Tantita for the Union, was first of its kind in the country.

    Yahya also showered praises on Tompolo for his support towards the 2024 Delegate Conference of the NUJ in Owerri, where he emerged as the national leader of the union.

    He acknowledged the uncommon generosity and philanthropy of the Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation to humanity, adding that his contributions significantly eased the burden of the union during tbe Owerri gathering .

    Read Also: N/Delta ex-agitators declare unwavering support for Tinubu, Tompolo, Otuaro

    The NUJ president restated the Union’s commitment to unity and collective destiny of Nigeria and assured the Chairman of Tantita Security Services Limited of NUJ’s continued partnership to ensure the company delivers on it set goals.

    The NUJ president was accompanied in the thank you visit by the immediate past president, Chief Chris Isiguzo, a distinguished veteran journalist, Asiwaju Sola Adebayo, the Deputy National President, Dr. Bimbo Oyetunde, Vice President and Secretary Zone F, Comrades Okpakamabo Dokubo and John Angese.

    Others were the Chairman and Secretary of NUJ Delta Council, Comrades Churchill Oyowe and Victor Sorokwu, Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and her vice, Delta Chapter, Comrades Sonia Unobunjo and Ruth Omigie, among others.

  • Police rescue 12 children, arrest woman for alleged child trafficking in Imo

    Police rescue 12 children, arrest woman for alleged child trafficking in Imo

    The Imo State Police Command has arrested a 42-year-old woman, Ann Ngozi Enyenwa, for alleged child trafficking and rescued 12 children reportedly exploited for street begging in Aba, Abia State.

    Police spokesperson Henry Okoye confirmed the arrest on Sunday, stating that Enyenwa was apprehended during an intelligence-led stop-and-search operation along the Owerri-Aba Expressway on June 20, 2025.

    The suspect was found in possession of several children in suspicious conditions, prompting further investigation. Twelve children, aged between 5 and 13, were rescued. They include Chinyere Nnaralaeze (10), Favour Madufor (13), Ugochi Pius (13), Ifeanyi Pius (9), Favour Timothy (10), Solomon Ihechi Chinuike (7), Chinaza Madufor (10), Nneoma Timothy (9), Promise Maduenyenwa (5), Gospel Chibuike (9), Chinedu Maduenyiwa (11), and Chinonso Paul (10), all from Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area.

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    According to Okoye, the suspect confessed to trafficking the children to Aba and forcing them into street begging. 

    She further claimed that proceeds from the begging were sent to a motherless babies home in Rivers State, where she allegedly works.

    The rescued children are currently in protective custody, while efforts are ongoing to trace and reunite them with their families.

    Okoye called on the public to assist with information that could help identify the children or aid the investigation, stressing that child exploitation will not be tolerated in Imo State.

  • Sanitation campaign begins in Apapa LG

    Sanitation campaign begins in Apapa LG

    The Apapa Local Government has kicked off a sanitation campaign, the Apapa Green Initiative Clean-Up Exercise, a week-long environmental sanitation campaign aimed at restoring cleanliness and promoting public health across the local government area.

    The exercise, which started on Saturday, will end on July 4.

    The exercise brought together residents, community leaders, environmental health officials, volunteers, and private sector partners in a unified effort to clean streets, drainages, markets, and public spaces within Apapa.

    READ ALSO: My biggest challenges in office, by Dapo Abiodun

    Speaking at the grand opening of the initiative, the Chairman of the local government, Hon. Idowu Senbanjo, expressed her appreciation for the overwhelming community participation and emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in keeping Apapa clean and safe.

    “This initiative reflects what we can achieve when government and community come together. Cleanliness is not a one-time event – it’s a lifestyle we must adopt to ensure healthier living conditions for all,” she said.

    The exercise was carried out at the Marine Beach, Apapa GRA, and Wharf Road, among others, where sanitation tools were distributed to residents while waste disposal trucks were mobilized to sites,amid the public sensitization on proper waste management practices.

  • Traditional ruler urges peaceful LG poll

    Traditional ruler urges peaceful LG poll

    The traditional ruler of Dopemu in the Agege area of Lagos State, Chief Shuaib Afogunlowo, has called for a peaceful election in all the 57 Local Governments and LCDAs coming up on July 12.

    He urged contestants and voters to eschew violence and urged APC elders and leaders to reconcile any warring members before, during, and after the crucial poll.

    READ ALSO: Again, the Fubara-Wike rapprochement

    Afogunlowo also urged the winners and losers to embrace peace so that they could forge ahead.

    According to him, politics is not a do-or-die affair. Hence, all the voters should exercise their franchise and come out to vote for the candidates of their choice.

    He lauded the LASEIC and the state government for the preparation and urged all the candidates to exhibit political maturity.