Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Lagos State Police Command has cleared the Senior Pastor of House on the Rock Church, Paul Adefarasin, of any wrongdoing following a viral video that showed him holding what was believed to be a firearm.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the command’s spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, said Adefarasin voluntarily appeared at the police headquarters in Ikeja for questioning after the clip surfaced online.

Investigations, according to the police, confirmed that the object seen in the video was a stun gun, not a lethal weapon.

“After a thorough investigation, including interrogation and a cautionary statement from Pastor Adefarasin, it was established that the object in question was a stun gun and not a lethal weapon or firearm.

“Consequent to our findings, the Lagos State Police Command has determined that there are no sufficient grounds to proceed with the matter. The case is hereby discontinued,” the statement read.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has announced the rescue of eight children suspected to have been stolen from northern states and trafficked to the south.

The rescue followed a raid on a popular orphanage in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

NAPTIP spokesperson, Vincent Adekoye, confirmed the development in a statement on Tuesday titled “NAPTIP rescues eight suspected stolen children from a popular orphanage in Asaba.”

According to the agency, the operation was carried out in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police, and local civil society groups. Officials said the raid was prompted by years of complaints from parents in Kano and neighbouring states over missing children.

The Nigerian Army has announced the arrest of a notorious commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), identified as Ifeanyi Eze Okorienta, popularly known as Gentle de Yahoo.

Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade, working in collaboration with other security agencies, captured Okorienta at his hideout in Aku-Ihube, Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State.

In a statement, the Army said the operation led to the recovery of a cache of weapons and other items, including an English pistol, 120 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 25 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, one cartridge, six mobile phones, as well as military and police uniforms. A German flag was also recovered.

The troops further discovered a workshop allegedly used for dismantling stolen vehicles for resale. Ten motorcycles found at the site were destroyed.

The Federal Government has ordered the immediate suspension of the recently introduced Free On Board (FOB) levy on imported goods.

Finance Minister Wale Edun, in a directive issued late Monday, announced that the levy, introduced last month by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), would be put on hold following widespread concerns from businesses and trade stakeholders.

“Following extensive consultations with industry stakeholders, trade experts, and relevant government officials, it has become clear that the implementation of the 4% FOB charge poses significant challenges to Nigerian trade facilitation, the business environment, and economic stability,” Edun said in a statement.

The suspension comes after importers and business groups warned that the levy would raise the cost of goods, fuel inflation, and undermine Nigeria’s trade competitiveness.

They also argued that the additional charge would increase the cost of doing business and threaten the country’s fragile economic recovery efforts.

The Rivers State government has begun activities to mark the expiration of the six-month emergency rule imposed in the state.

President Bola Tinubu had on March 18 declared a state of emergency in Rivers following a prolonged political crisis. The declaration led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly.

With the initial six-month period set to elapse on Friday, September 18, there are strong indications that Governor Fubara and the lawmakers may soon be reinstated.

As part of the transition process, the state government will today, Tuesday, host a public lecture at the Government House in Port Harcourt. The lecture, themed “Democracy and Good Governance”, is expected to highlight lessons from the period of emergency rule.

According to a notice signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Ibibia Lucky Worika, the Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, CFR, will attend as Special Guest.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed five criminal charges against activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore at the Federal High Court in Abuja, accusing him of defaming President Bola Tinubu.

The charges, filed on September 16, 2025, also list X Corp. and Meta, owners of X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook as co-defendants. According to the court documents, Sowore described President Tinubu as a “criminal” in several social media posts, while criticizing his claims of eliminating corruption.

No court date has been fixed for the matter.

Despite the charges and reported threats from the DSS, Sowore has refused to retract or delete the posts. He has maintained a defiant stance, insisting on his right to free expression.

The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Anambra State, Mr. John Chuma Nwosu, has lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for regularising the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

Nwosu described INEC’s prompt recognition of the party’s leadership as a significant democratic gesture for Anambra voters, noting that it came at a time when the electorate is seeking a credible alternative.

He recalled that voters in the state were facing a political situation similar to 2003, when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) “grew wanton with impunity as the only platform.”

Dismissing claims that INEC was working to set up the ADC for judicial failure, Nwosu said conspiracy theories had no place in the exercise of democratic rights and responsibilities.

“There is no hidden agenda. ADC has come to stay; all necessary documentation has been completed, and the Commission has done what is required,” he said.

According to him, Anambra voters now have a credible option beyond “old, spoilt platforms that have taken the masses for a ride.”

Nwosu expressed optimism that the November 8 governorship election would give the people an opportunity to elect “a servant leader and not arrogant mischief makers and opportunists.”

He added that INEC’s decision would compel political parties in the state to focus their campaigns on issues that matter to the people.