Tight security was deployed on Tuesday at the national secretariat of the Labour Party in Abuja as Senator Nenadi Usman assumed control of the party’s headquarters, following weeks of leadership tussle. The development was confirmed by Usman through her Senior Special Adviser on Media, Ken Asogwa, during a telephone interview. A visit to the party’s secretariat in Utako by our correspondent revealed a strong police presence, with armed officers stationed within and around the premises. Banners and billboards bearing the images of the former national chairman, Julius Abure, and members of his executive were removed and replaced with those featuring…
Author: Adeboye
Many Nigerians are feared dead or missing after a rubber boat conveying migrants capsized off the coast of Libya, with at least 53 persons reportedly dead or unaccounted for. The International Organisation for Migration disclosed the incident in a statement published on its website on Monday, noting that the tragedy occurred north of Zuwara, Libya. According to the IOM, the vessel, which was transporting about 55 migrants and refugees of different African nationalities, overturned on Friday while attempting to cross the Central Mediterranean route. The organisation said only two Nigerian women were rescued during a search-and-rescue operation carried out by…
The national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party remained locked on Monday as the faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, delayed its planned move to take over the party’s secretariat. The Wike-backed group attributed its absence at the PDP national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, to what it described as ongoing administrative and security procedures by the police ahead of the facility’s reopening. Speaking exclusively with The PUNCH, the National Publicity Secretary of the party’s National Caretaker Committee, Jungudo Mohammed, dismissed reports that the police had turned down the faction’s request to access the secretariat.…
The United States Department of Homeland Security has added 18 more Nigerians to its deportation list, raising the total number of Nigerians slated for removal over criminal convictions to 97. The latest development comes barely a week after it was reported that 79 Nigerians convicted of various offences had been pencilled down for deportation by U.S. authorities. Checks on the DHS website revealed that additional names had been included on what the department described as its “worst-of-the-worst” criminal register, signalling a widening of the enforcement exercise. According to the updated records, offences linked to the newly listed individuals include wire…
No fewer than nine worshippers were abducted by suspected bandits in the early hours of Sunday during a vigil at St. John’s Catholic Church, Ojije, in the Utonkon District of Ado Local Government Area of Benue State. It was learnt on Monday that the attack occurred at about 2am while the church was observing a vigil as part of a 30-day spiritual programme. The National Publicity Secretary of the Ufia Development Association in the area, Comrade Jude Onwe, confirmed that the victims, comprising women and youths, were taken away by the assailants during the service. “About 2am, suspected bandits stormed…
The Anambra State Government has suspended the headteachers of nine public primary and secondary schools for two weeks over low attendance of pupils and students on Monday. The sanction was announced by the Chairman of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Vera Nwadinobi, during an on-the-spot assessment of schools across parts of the state. Nwadinobi expressed displeasure at the poor turnout of learners despite the presence of teachers, noting that the visit was part of a statewide monitoring exercise to ensure compliance with the Executive Order prohibiting the closure of schools on Mondays due to sit-at-home. Findings showed…
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has arrested a truck driver in connection with the death of a cyclist in a road crash beneath the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital bridge in the Ikeja area of the state. It was gathered on Monday that the accident occurred along the traffic light corridor inward Airport Road. A statement by the agency’s spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, disclosed that the cyclist and a DAF articulated truck were approaching the roundabout from the Maryland axis when the incident happened. Preliminary investigations revealed that the cyclist attempted to manoeuvre around the roundabout alongside the heavy-duty vehicle…
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has upheld the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate, ruling that the upper legislative chamber acted within the bounds of its constitutional and procedural powers. In a unanimous judgment delivered on Monday by a three-member panel, the appellate court dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s appeal against the Clerk of the National Assembly and three other respondents in suit number CA/ABJ/CV/1107/2025. The court held that the decision of the Senate to suspend the lawmaker did not infringe on her parliamentary privileges or violate any of her fundamental rights as guaranteed under the Constitution. However,…
A man identified as Abodunde Solomon has reportedly fled after allegedly attacking his wife with a machete over accusations of infidelity in Ondo State. The incident was said to have occurred in Supare-Akoko, Akoko North-West Local Government Area of the state. PUNCH Metro gathered that the suspect allegedly descended on his wife after accusing her of being unfaithful, inflicting severe injuries on her during the attack. A source familiar with the incident said the allegation reportedly enraged the man, leading to the violent assault. “The woman sustained serious injuries, with blood gushing from her body after the attack. Immediately after…
The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 21-year-old dispatch rider, David Ekes, for allegedly squandering N1.3m belonging to his employer and a customer on online gambling and staging his own kidnapping to conceal the loss. PUNCH Metro gathered that Ekes, an employee of Dibecs Industry Limited, Okpella, in Etsako East Local Government Area, was initially reported missing on January 30, 2026. In a statement issued on Monday in Benin City, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said the case was first treated as a suspected abduction after a report was filed at the Okpella Police Division by…