Headlines

The Yobe State Government has refuted a viral social media report claiming that Boko Haram insurgents were advancing toward Damaturu, the state capital.

In a statement released on Monday, the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Governor, Brigadier General Dahiru Abdulsalam (Rtd), described the report as false, misleading, and the work of mischief-makers aiming to incite public panic.

The viral post, titled “Immediate Security Alert”, alleged that suspected terrorists were moving toward Damaturu. However, Abdulsalam clarified that the report did not originate from any credible or official security source, including his office.

“The public should disregard the report in its entirety as it has no basis,” he said. “It is fake and clearly intended to create fear and confusion among residents.”

He assured the people of Damaturu and the state at large that the security situation remained stable, and urged them to go about their lawful activities without fear.

Abdulsalam reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property, adding that all security agencies in the state are maintaining surveillance and working together to ensure continued peace and stability.

He also cautioned against the spread of false information, warning that such actions could cause unnecessary panic and disrupt public order.

The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered a baby factory in the Ijegun area of the state, rescuing 10 victims and arresting three suspects connected to the operation.

Spokesperson for the command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development in a statement on Monday. He said the illegal facility was discovered following a tip-off received by the police on Saturday.

Acting swiftly, officers raided the premises and arrested the prime suspect, 35-year-old Mariam Vincent, along with two alleged accomplices identified as Orie Ruth, 23, and Ujunwa Ifeanyi, 18.

Seven adult women and three children—aged seven, five, and two—were rescued during the operation. The adult victims were named as Precious (24), Magdalene (25), Adaobi (23), Princess (22), Ifeanyi (25), and Amaka (26). The children rescued were identified as Destiny (7), Miracle (5), and Success (2).

Hundeyin said the victims are currently receiving appropriate care and support.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly abducted the victims from various locations across the state for the purpose of operating the baby factory.

The police said the investigation is ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon its conclusion.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has filed a N5 billion lawsuit against Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi of Ebonyi North Central over alleged defamatory statements made during a televised interview.

The suit, filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja by her legal counsel, Michael Numa, seeks redress over remarks made by Nwaebonyi during an appearance on Channels Television on March 6, 2025.

According to court documents, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan alleges that Nwaebonyi described her as a “gold digger, habitual liar, and habitual blackmailer,” and falsely claimed she is a mother of six children from different men. She contends that the statements were false, malicious, and intended to damage her reputation.

The senator argued that the remarks were made recklessly and have caused her significant public embarrassment and reputational harm, particularly in her role as a prominent female politician and advocate for women in governance.

“The defendant’s characterisation of the claimant as a ‘mother of six from different men’ is baseless, malicious, and reckless,” the suit states.

She further asserted that rather than tarnishing the image of women in politics, as allegedly suggested by Nwaebonyi, she continues to inspire and empower women to pursue political leadership and speak truth to power.

Akpoti-Uduaghan is asking the court to award N5 billion in aggravated and exemplary damages for the alleged defamatory remarks. She also seeks a restraining order preventing Senator Nwaebonyi from making further similar statements against her.

In addition, she is requesting that the court compel Nwaebonyi to issue a public retraction and unreserved apology on the same television platform where the statements were made.

Pascal Dozie, founder of the defunct Diamond Bank Plc and former chairman of MTN Nigeria, has died at the age of 85.

A statement issued by his family on Tuesday confirmed that the prominent businessman passed away in the early hours of April 8, 2025.

The statement, signed by his son, Uzoma Dozie, reads: “With deep sorrow, but with gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the passing of our beloved father, Pascal Gabriel Dozie, on 8th April 2025. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and a man of unwavering Catholic faith. His life was marked by service to God, his family, and his country.”

Dozie is survived by his wife, Chinyere, his children, grandchildren, and other relatives.

Born in 1939, Dozie played a key role in the development of Nigeria’s banking and telecommunications sectors. He founded Diamond Bank in 1990, which grew into one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions before its merger with Access Bank. He later handed over the leadership of the bank to his son, Uzoma.

Dozie also served as the pioneer chairman of MTN Nigeria, where he was instrumental in the telecom company’s entry into the Nigerian market and its subsequent growth.

In recognition of his contributions to the country’s economic development, he was awarded the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

President Bola Tinubu has officially declared April 7 of every year as National Police Day in honour of fallen officers and to recognise the sacrifices and service of personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.

The announcement was made on Monday by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented the President at the maiden National Police Day celebration, held at the Eagle Square, Abuja, as part of events marking the 2025 Police Week.

In his address, President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a modern, professional police force, equipped with advanced tools and technology to effectively combat crime and maintain public order.

He stressed the need for a proactive and well-supported police system, stating that it is essential for the nation’s security forces to remain ahead of those who pose threats to Nigeria’s peace, welfare, and prosperity.

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has approved the payment of gratuities owed to retired civil servants since 2012, marking a significant move to address the decade-long backlog.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the state government has commenced the disbursement of N1 billion as the first phase of payments. The initiative, the statement noted, is part of the administration’s efforts to fulfil its commitment to pensioners and resolve liabilities inherited from previous administrations.

“For over a decade, many of our retirees have suffered due to the non-payment of their gratuities. This administration is putting an end to that hardship,” the statement quoted Governor Okpebholo as saying.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to the welfare of retired workers, stressing that those who served the state deserve to receive their entitlements without further delay.

“We recognise the sacrifices made by our retirees, and it is unacceptable that they have had to wait this long for what is rightfully theirs,” he said. “Our administration will not only clear these arrears but will also put measures in place to ensure such delays do not happen in the future.”

Okpebholo further stated that the payments would be made in phases and guided by a structured verification process to ensure transparency and fairness.

“This is just the beginning. We will not abandon our pensioners. We are determined to ensure that those who served Edo State diligently are treated with the respect and care they deserve,” he added.

The National President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Alhaji Haruna Kankara, on Sunday, revealed that about 20 states are yet to implement the N70,000 new minimum wage for local government workers and primary school teachers.

Speaking to The PUNCH, Kankara listed the affected states to include Yobe, Gombe, Zamfara, Kaduna, Imo, Ebonyi, Cross River, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Borno, Sokoto, and several others.

The disclosure comes months after President Bola Tinubu signed the Minimum Wage Act, 2024 into law on July 29, 2024. The new law increased the national minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000, representing a 133 percent increment, in response to the country’s economic challenges.

Following the passage of the law, approximately 20 states began implementing the new wage structure. These include Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, Niger, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Jigawa, Gombe, Ogun, Kebbi, Ondo, and Kogi, among others.

Kankara, however, noted that while some states have commenced payment to state government employees, they have excluded local government workers and primary school teachers.

“We truly have the challenge of so many states, like about 20 that have not started implementing the new minimum wage,” he said.

“Some have started paying the state workers, leaving out the local government workers and primary school teachers, but we have continued to engage and plead with them to do the needful for these workers. Some of them promised but failed to fulfil their promise, but we are hoping that just very soon all of these would have been resolved,” Kankara added.

Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended Umrah, business, and family visit visas for citizens of 14 countries, including Nigeria, Egypt, and India, as part of preparations for the upcoming Hajj season.

Officials speaking to ARY News said, “The suspension of Umrah, business, and family visit visas is aimed at preventing unregistered individuals from attempting to perform the pilgrimage.”

The move comes amid concerns over the rising number of pilgrims attempting to join Hajj without official permits. In recent years, many visitors have overstayed their visas, contributing to overcrowding and serious safety risks, News Arab reports.

Authorities also expressed concern over the misuse of business or family visit visas by individuals who enter the Kingdom and work illegally, a violation that “disrupts the labour market and breaches visa conditions.”

The Saudi foreign ministry stated that the new measures were implemented “to streamline travel procedures and enhance safety during Hajj.

It added, “Individuals found to be staying in the Kingdom illegally may face a five-year entry ban.”

The countries affected by the ban are India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen, and Morocco.

Despite the suspension, ARY News reported that Umrah visa holders will be allowed to enter the Kingdom until 13 April. The restrictions are expected to remain in place until mid-June when the pilgrimage concludes.

During the 2024 Hajj season, at least 1,301 pilgrims died—most from heat-related causes. A large proportion of the deceased did not hold official Hajj permits.

Saudi authorities reported that approximately 400,000 unregistered pilgrims participated in the Hajj last year, with a significant number coming from Egypt.

Each participating country is allocated a limited number of Hajj permits under a quota system distributed by lottery. However, due to the high cost of official packages, many people seek alternative, unauthorised routes.