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Folarin Kehinde

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BREAKING: Police disperse pro-Nnamdi Kanu Protesters with live bullets

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Protesters agitating for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, have fled the protested ground after combined security forces released live bullets.

The protesters, led by the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement and former Presidential candidate of African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, gathered as early as 6:50am around the headquarters of Women Affairs ministry.

Daily Trust reports that the security forces drawn from the Nigerian police, Guards Brigade, Department of State Services (DSS) and NSCDC, had beefed up security around Presidential Villa, since Sunday.

They mounted road blocks at strategic places leading to the Presidential Villa, National Assembly, Court of Appeal Headquarters, Force Headquarters and the popular Eagle Square.

Before the beef up, the protesters had vowed to march to the Presidential Villa to press home their demands regarding the continued detention of the IPOB leader.

According to report protesters marched around the Court of Appeal, the operatives fired different shots.

The protesters had earlier thought the police officers, who were preventing them from advancing further wanted to fire teargas cannisters at them but they fled when live bullets were being released from different directions.

Earlier, Sowore and some of the protesters had shouted at the police, saying, “Don’t teargas us! Don’t teargas us! Respect rule of law! We have rights to protest, we’re Nigerians.”

As at when filing this report, the military Armoured Personal Carriers from the Guards, Nigerian police and the DSS were still stationed at those strategic locations.

 

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FG backtracks, says Mathematics remains compulsory for O’ level students

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Federal Government has said Mathematics is a compulsory subject for all students sitting for O-Level examinations.

This was conveyed in a press statement issued by Boriowo Folashade, spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education, on Sunday.

Earlier on Tuesday, Boriowo had announced that senior secondary school students in the arts and humanities would no longer be required to present a credit in Mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for tertiary admissions.

Boriowo had stated that the reform became necessary after years of restricted access, which denied many qualified candidates admission opportunities.

READ ALSO: https://leadingreporters.com/just-in-fg-removes-mathematics-as-admission-requirement-for-art-students/

She had said while over two million candidates sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination annually, only about 700,000 gain admission.

However, the issue had generated controversy as some educationists rejected the policy shift, saying it would further encourage laziness among students and negatively impact their academic excellence and performance.

But in the new statement, Boriowo said the new admission guidelines do not exempt any candidate from registering and sitting for Mathematics.

“All students must continue to register and sit for English Language and Mathematics in their O-Level examinations,” the statement read.

The statement added that while institutions may now admit candidates into certain programmes where credit passes in either English or Mathematics are not mandatory, students are still required to take both subjects during their O-Level exams.

“This adjustment affects only admission criteria, not the requirement to take these subjects,” she clarified.

According to the statement, the reform supports the Federal Government’s vision of equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development.

“English and Mathematics remain vital tools for communication, reasoning, and lifelong learning,” the Ministry noted.

The Ministry also urged students, parents, and stakeholders to rely solely on official communication channels for verified policy updates

Asked if the new development meant a U-turn on the earlier stance of the ministry, Boriowo said, “No, no U-turn — it’s a clarification on the streamlined admission requirements to expand access to tertiary education, please.”

 

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Headlines

192 foreigners convicted for cybercrime deported in Lagos

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Federal Government has completed the deportation of 192 foreign nationals convicted for cybercrime-related offences following a joint operation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

The exercise marks the conclusion of a major enforcement operation that began after the arrest of 759 suspects during a sting operation on December 10, 2024, at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The deportation, which commenced on August 15, 2025, was carried out in several batches. The first group, comprising 42 Chinese and Filipino nationals, was repatriated in mid-August, while others followed through August and September. The final batch of 51 convicts—50 Chinese nationals and one Tunisian—was deported on October 16, 2025, concluding the operation.

According to EFCC sources, the deported individuals were among a network of foreign and Nigerian suspects arrested during a coordinated crackdown on an international cybercrime ring operating under the name Genting International Co. Limited. Investigations revealed that the syndicate managed fraudulent digital platforms used to defraud victims both within and outside Nigeria.

“The operation was based on actionable intelligence that led to the dismantling of a sophisticated cybercrime syndicate,” an EFCC official said. “Their activities involved online fraud, identity theft, and Ponzi-style investment schemes.”

The convicts, drawn from China, the Philippines, Tunisia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Timor-Leste, were sentenced and ordered deported in accordance with court rulings and established immigration procedures.

The coordinated repatriation underscores ongoing inter-agency collaboration to combat cybercrime and enforce judicial directives involving foreign offenders in Nigeria’s digital and financial crime ecosystem.

 

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Customs officer dies in Katsina hotel after lodging with 3 women

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

A Customs officer, identified as Assistant Superintendent of Customs (ASC) Lawal Tukur, has been found d3ad in a hotel room in Katsina metropolis.

Zagazola report that the incident occurred on Oct. 15 at Murjani Hotel, Katsina, where the deceased had lodged. According to reports, hotel staff discovered the officer lying lifeless in his room at about 8:30 a.m. and immediately raised the alarm.

Sources at the hotel said some empty sachets of suspected substances were found in the waste basket of the room. Three women, identified as Khadija Ali, 34, of Dutsin Amare Quarters, Katsina; Aisha Lawal, 30, of Ingawa Local Government Area; and Hafsat Yusuf, 22, of Brigade Quarters, Kano, were reportedly in the hotel at the time of the incident.

It was gathered that Khadija and Aisha spent the night with the deceased, while Hafsat visited them later and also lodged in the same hotel.

The body of the officer was taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Katsina, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor and deposited at the mortuary for autopsy.

The Nigeria Customs Service has been informed of the development, while further findings are awaited to determine the cause of death.

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Headlines

BREAKING: Bayelsa Gov Douye Diri Dumps PDP

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

 

 

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Diri, who announced this on Wednesday at the exco chamber in the Bayelsa State Government House, did not state the political party that he will be moving to.

His decision was backed by 23 members of the House of Assembly, led by the Speaker.

Diri’s defection came 24 hours after his Enugu State counterpart, Peter Mbah, dumped the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

More to follow…

 

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Headlines

Finance Minister Wale Edun Flown to UK for Medical Treatment

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has reportedly travelled to the United Kingdom for medical treatment.

This development comes after the Presidency earlier announced that Edun was receiving treatment at his home in Abuja and might seek further medical attention abroad if necessary.

According to multiple sources who confirmed the development on Tuesday, the minister has now left the country. One of the sources said, “It’s true, he has left already.”

Edun was said to have departed Abuja for Lagos on Monday night via a commercial flight before boarding a British Airways flight to London later that night.

In an earlier statement, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, explained that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, would lead the economic team in Edun’s absence, as the minister was “indisposed.”

There had been widespread rumours claiming that Edun suffered a stroke and was flown abroad for treatment, but the Presidency has since denied those reports.

Presidential aides maintained that Edun, a key member of President Bola Tinubu’s economic team, is recuperating and in good spirits.

 

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Edo Governor Bars Commissioners Without Asiwaju Cap from Exco Meeting

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has charged his Commissioners and Special Advisers to always wear the Asiwaju mandate cap as a practical way of showing their support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.

Governor Okpebholo said any Commissioner who failed to wear Asiwaju the cap would not be allowed into the State Executive Council meeting.

He spoke in Benin City, swearing in 19 new Commissioners and boards of agencies and commissions.

According to Okpebholo, “This could not have happened if we did not have a responsible president. We have done many elections here, and the major problem we have had is that the president is not with us, but today we say thank you. I will not forgive any commissioner who is not wearing this cap. In our exco meetings, if you are not wearing a suit and you are coming to the meeting without this Asiwaju cap, you will go back.” He said.

Governor Okpebholo charged the Commissioners that the focus of his administration was not propaganda but practical governance that would benefit the people positively.

He warned the new Commissioners that his administration would not tolerate corruption and reminded them that their appointment was not for self-enrichment.

Governor Okpebholo told the Commissioners that their nominations was not a reward or patronage, but a call to serve the people of Edo State.

His words, “This administration came into office on the promise of practical governance – to touch the lives of our people directly.

“Our focus is not on propaganda, but on service delivery and tangible results that can be felt in every community across our state.

“While I congratulate you on your deserved elevation, I want to warn that your appointment is not for personal enrichment. You are not here for Money-making, but for service, for sacrifice, and for a better life for Edo people.

“I hereby call on you to brace up for action, as your success will be measured by your impact in bringing about better services and opportunities to our people.

“May I remind you that this administration has zero tolerance for corruption and you’re expected to display discipline, teamwork, and a shared sense of purpose.

 

 

 

 

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Headlines

JUST IN: FG Removes Mathematics as Admission Requirement for Art Students

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Ministry of Education has announced that credit in mathematics in the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) will no longer be a requirement for students seeking admission into arts and humanities courses in universities and polytechnics.

The statement, issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, marks a shift from the long-standing practice where admission seekers in arts and humanities were required to have five credit passes, including mathematics and English, to gain entry into higher institutions.

According to Boriowo, the revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions are designed to remove unnecessary barriers while maintaining academic standards.

The new framework applies across universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies.

Mathematics will remain mandatory only for science, technology, and certain social science courses, while English continues to be a compulsory requirement for all programmes.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, described the reform as a deliberate effort to broaden access to tertiary education and create opportunities for more students to pursue arts and humanities disciplines.

 

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Politics

PDP postpones NEC meeting as gale of defection looms

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The national working committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has postponed the 103rd national executive committee (NEC) meeting.

The event was scheduled for October 15 at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.

In a statement issued on Monday, Debo Ologunagba, PDP spokesperson, attributed the postponement to “recent developments” in the party.

Ologunagba said a new date for the NEC would be communicated to members.

“All NEC members should please note the postponement and be guided accordingly,” the statement reads.

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Nigeria's NNPC spent $10 billion on fuel subsidy in 2022 paid to WHO Leading reporters
Headlines

Again, NNPC Marketers Increase Petrol Price

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and independent marketers have once again raised the pump price of petrol across the country.

The new price now stands at ₦955 per litre, up from ₦905 barely a week ago.

The fresh increase has triggered more concerns among Nigerians already battling the rising cost of living.

It also comes as cooking gas prices soar nationwide, worsening the financial strain on households.

LEADING REPORTERS gathered that a 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas now sells for about ₦37,500, compared to ₦12,500 just two weeks ago.

In most cities, the cost of one kilogram of gas has climbed to around ₦3,000, a sharp jump from ₦1,000 earlier this month.

In Abuja, NNPC retail outlets located in Wuse, Gwarimpa, and along the Kubwa Expressway adjusted their prices on Monday to reflect the new rate of ₦955 per litre.

Private filling stations such as AA Rano, Mobil, and Ranoil are now selling between ₦920 and ₦930 per litre, while some MRS stations were dispensing at ₦851 over the weekend.

Speaking on the development, the National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PPROOAN), Billy Gillis-Harry, confirmed the increase and linked it to market and logistics issues.

The Public Relations Officer of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Chinedu Ukadike, also attributed the price hike to higher depot costs and insufficient supply from major producers.

According to him, “Dangote increased their loading price to ₦845 per litre, as against ₦825 earlier sold, thereby resulting to a selling price of between ₦900 and ₦955, depending on the location.”

Ukadike further explained that many marketers who paid for products at Dangote Refinery have not been able to load fuel for about two weeks due to rationing and limited supply. “When people are scrambling for products, it results to hike in price,” he said.

However, several filling stations depending on Dangote’s supply have been dry since Sunday, causing scarcity and long queues in parts of Lagos and Abuja.

Transport fares have also started rising as motorists pass the extra cost to passengers.

 

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