Author: Vincent Osuwo

The Senate has described as shocking the death of its member, Ifeanyi Ubah, who died on Saturday in London, United Kingdom.  Ubah, Capital Oil’s CEO, would have turned 53 on September 3. Yemi Adaramodu, the Senate spokesperson, confirmed his death to our correspondent on Saturday. In a statement made on behalf of the Senate, Adaramodu praised the late senator as an excellent leader and tireless advocate for his constituents. The statement read, “It is with deep sorrow and profound regret that the Nigerian Senate announces the passing of our esteemed colleague, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who, until his passing, represented the…

The Justice Department responded late Friday to TikTok’s legal suit, which sought to undermine a rule requiring the app to be sold or risk a US ban.  TikTok’s lawsuit in a Washington federal court claims that the statute violates its First Amendment right to free speech. The US answer argues that the statute is about national security, not speech, and that TikTok’s Chinese parent business, ByteDance, cannot claim First Amendment rights here. According to senior justice department officials, the submission raises fears that ByteDance may and would comply with Chinese government demands for data about US users, as well as…

Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso has encouraged the organisers of the nationwide protest to abandon the idea and take prudence in expressing their grievances. In a statement that he personally signed on Friday night, Kwankwaso called on the demonstration organisers and citizens to end an inept government through the ballot rather than protests. Kwankwaso also urged Nigerian officials at all levels to handle the country’s many difficulties by upholding good governance and the rule of law. He said, “It is with a deep sense of responsibility that I share my thoughts on the current situation in Nigeria. We find…

The General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency, Gbolahan Oki, has banned people, particularly labourers, from sleeping at construction sites in the state. The ban follows the collapse of a two-story building that claimed the lives of five construction workers at Arowojobe Estate, in the Maryland area of Lagos State. Oki issued the directive in a statement signed by the agency’s Director of Public Affairs Unit, Olaoye Olusegun. The statement read in part, “Henceforth, nobody should be found sleeping in any building under construction after the close of work, especially at night. LASBCA officials will be inspecting construction sites across…

The Anambra State Police Command said it recovered 20 improvised explosive devices, firearms, and other exhibits during multiple raids across the state.  Nnaghe Itam, Anambra’s Commissioner of Police, stated this to the media in Awka during a press briefing on Friday, adding that the operations were carried out by police operatives and other sister agencies. During the conference, the CP also paraded 13 people who he said had been apprehended around the state for a variety of offences, including kidnapping, armed robbery, and cult-related crimes. Itam identified the suspects as Emeka Okolo (29), from lhiala, Anambra State; Uchenna John (21),…

Amid intensifying calls for nationwide protests, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development calls for applications for the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF). Nigerians, mainly youths, have lamented the hardship in the country since President Bola Tinubu was sworn in on May 20, 2023. With protests set for August 1, the ministry of youth development announced that the N110 billion fund is “dedicated to empowering youth in priority sectors to drive economic growth.” In a statement on its official X handle, the ministry urges youths to “apply now to avail yourself of this huge opportunity and take your business to new…

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, stated on Friday that intelligence available to the Force has revealed that foreign mercenaries are involved in the planned statewide protest.  Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Egbetokun encouraged all Nigerians to be cautious and think carefully before joining any protest group. Egbetokun said, “We have been monitoring development surrounding protest threats. While some groups call for violent protests, emulating Kenya’s recent events, others advocate for peaceful demonstrations. “However, some individuals promote peaceful protests with violent undertones, raising concerns about their sincerity. We have our history of violent protests in Nigeria, and I don’t…

Bangladeshi police detectives forced three student protest leaders accused of causing deadly disturbances out of the hospital on Friday, transporting them to an unknown destination, according to workers.  Nahid Islam, Asif Mahmud, and Abu Baker Majumder are all members of Students Against Discrimination, the group that organised this month’s street protests against civil service hiring standards. According to an AFP count of victims reported by police and hospitals, at least 195 people were murdered in the ensuing police crackdown and skirmishes, resulting in some of the worst unrest under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s watch. All three were hospitalised in Dhaka,…

An explosion, suspected to be caused by a planted improvised explosive device (IED), has rocked the popular Buni Yadi market in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State. According to reports, a Buni resident, Ali Hassan, stated that the explosion occurred at 12.30pm on Friday, wounding a young girl. The girl’s name and current health status are unknown. Captain Muhammad Shehu, spokesman for Sector 2 Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai, confirmed the event, stating another IED put in the market was uncovered and successfully defused by the army. He further explained that the only victim of the sad incident…

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has deployed 4,200 police officers throughout the nation’s capital in preparation for the planned nationwide protest. The command also announced the deployment of explosive ordnance device experts in several important areas. The command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, stated on Friday that the deployment was intended to safeguard public safety, protect demonstrators, and prevent non-state actors from hijacking the demonstration. She noted that raids on known dark spots, unfinished buildings/shanties, and stop-and-search operations, among other things, would be conducted in coordination with sister security organisations. She said, “The FCT Police Command, in anticipation of the planned…