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Anambra 2025: Chukwuma Soludo, has been nominated as the flagbearer of All Progressives Grand Alliance

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The governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has been nominated as the flagbearer of his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the November 8, 2025 governorship election in the state.

The incumbent, who was returned unopposed, polled over 300 votes during the primary held in Awka on Saturday.

Voting was conducted for the delegates from all the 21 local government areas in the state to either tick yes or no on the ballot. After the voting exercise, votes were sorted and counted.

Announcing the result of the exercise, the chairman of the electoral panel, Uche Nwegbo, said that the total number of delegates for the primary was 3,260, total number of accredited delegates 3,175, total number of votes cast 3,172, totalnumber of invalid votes 4, total number of yes votes cast 3,168, and total number of no votes cast nil.

With the result, Nwegbo declared Soludo as the governorship candidate for APGA in November 8, 2025, election to rousing cheers from the crowd.

‘I accept the nomination’

Rising up to a loud cheer after the announcement of his nomination to run for a second term in the office, Governor Soludo took to the podium to give a speech where he accepted the nomination.

He said, “I wan to sincerely, with every deepest sense of humility, give gratitude to the Almighty God for His grace upon our lives, the God that gave Nigeria APGA, gave Anambra State APGA, and we said this is our own.

“With utmost gratitude to Him, utmost surrender to Him, in humility, I want to say that I’m humbled by this unprecedented historic display of solidarity, support, and overwhelming mandate given to me again by our party again to be able to fly its flag for the forthcoming election. And I want to say with humility, I accept the nomination.

“Let’s do it again together, let’s continue with the progressive movement in Anambra, Anambra is rising under the democratic leadership that we have here.”

During his speech, the governor also confirmed that he will be running for the election with his current deputy, Onyeka Ibezim, as his running mate.

It will be clearer the people Soludo will be slugging it out with in the November polls when the other political parties conclude their respective primaries.

NHRC condemns death sentence on Jos farmer who defended himself by killing an invading herdsman

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The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC),Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, on Friday, condemned the death sentence imposed on one Sunday Jackson, who was found guilty of murdering a Fulani herdsman in Jos.

Ojukwu, who made the condemnation while speaking during the presentation of the commission’s edition of the March human rights situation dashboard, called on the state governor not to approve the death sentence on Jackson.

Similarly, the NHRC condemned in strong terms the invasion of the premises of the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Agency (IKEDC) by officers of the Nigerian Air Force in Lagos State.

The NHRC boss said such action shows the pattern of human rights violations by those who wear uniforms. He called for a thorough investigation into the incident with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book.

Ojukwu also expressed concern over the killing of 16 northern hunters by vigilantes at Uromi, in Edo State, even as he emphasised that every Nigerian has the right to life and should be allowed to enjoy it.

He announced that the commission received a total of 246, 200 complaints in the month of March, showing an increase from what was recorded in February.

Presenting the dashboard, the Senior Human Rights Adviser to the NHRC, Mr. Hillary Ogbonna, lamented that the commission recorded a marginal increase of 20 per cent in complaints.

He said the commission initiated and completed a total of 12,545 investigations of complaints, visited 230 correctional centers and places of detention and issued 465 summons and letters to the Nigerian Police and visited 27 Military formations this year.

According to Ogbonna, 88 kidnappings, 221 killings, 1,186 child abandonment, 39 killings of security and law enforcement agents were recorded by the commission in March this year.

The event also featured the signing of an advisory note on rights to expression of human rights by the Executive Secretary of the NHRC.

Kaduna govt threatens to sue social media user for alleging the govt had began selling cemetery land

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The Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS) has dismissed a publication alleging that Governor Uba Sani had began selling from supposed cemetery land.

KADGIS management, in a statement on Saturday, disclosed that the land in question, identified as layout TPO 1443 on Constitution Road, is owned by the Nigeria Police and has been approved by the Kaduna State Government for development purposes.

According to KADGIS, the land is under a partnership with developers for a site and service scheme and does not include any cemetery or burial grounds as suggested by the publication.

https://twitter.com/IU_Wakilii/status/1908224409048850582

The agency said the information being spread was a significant distraction from the “ongoing efforts of the state governor, Senator Uba Sani, in addressing land issues, particularly the injustices faced by landowners in the state.”

KADGIS, however, assured the public that the matter could be verified by referring to the official orthophoto or by conducting a physical inspection of the site.
It also announced its intention to take legal action against the social media accounts responsible for spreading the inaccurate information.


“KADGIS intends to initiate a legal action against owners of social media handles responsible for such misinformation with intent to cause disaffection and incitement of public peace in Kaduna State.”

Police Command rescued 14 passengers of Benue Links, kidnapped

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The Police Command in Benue, on Friday, rescued 14 passengers of Benue Links, kidnapped by unknown gunmen on Thursday evening in Otukpo LGA of the state.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Sewuese Anene, made this known in a statement, in Makurdi.

Anene said that the bus was attacked on April 3, around the Otukpo Burnt Bricks area, leading to the death of the driver and one passenger.
She said the armed kidnappers thereafter took away the remaining 14 other passengers to an unknown destination.

The PRO said the command, in collaboration with the State Civil Protection Guard, rushed to the scene and found the driver and a passenger with gunshot injuries in the vehicle. In contrast, others were whisked away by the kidnappers.

“The injured were conveyed to the hospital where they were confirmed dead by a doctor.

“The team launched a search for the kidnapped victims within the nearby forest immediately.

“On April 4, at about 1500hrs, they sighted the bandits in the forest and engaged them in a gun duel. The superior firepower of the police subdued them and they took to their heels, abandoning their captives.

“Unfortunately, they had inflicted matchet cuts on two of the victims before the rescue. Fourteen victims were rescued and taken to the hospital, where one was confirmed dead and others are currently receiving treatment,” she said.

Anene said that the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Steve Yabanet, commiserated with the families of the deceased and pledged to bring the perpetrators to book.

She said that he enjoined the people of Otukpo to look out for suspects with gunshot injuries and report them to the Police, as many of the bandits received gunshot injuries during the exchange of fire.

Kebbi Governor suspends top official for Claiming Northern states have highest LGBTQ+ Population

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The Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has suspended a senior government official, Nasiru Abubakar Kigo, for claiming that Kebbi and Sokoto states have the highest numbers of registered gays and lesbians.

The indefinite suspension was confirmed on Friday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ahmed Idris.

A letter from the Kebbi State Head of Service, Malami Shekare, stated that Kigo’s comments violated civil service rules and amounted to “social misconduct” that tarnished the state’s reputation.

“The statement is misleading and unacceptable in a morally decent society. The official is to remain suspended pending an investigation.”

Kigo, a permanent secretary and Islamic cleric, made the remark during a Ramadan seminar at Adamu Aliero Housing Estate in Birnin Kebbi. 

The state government has since distanced itself from his claims, calling them “fictitious and baseless.” 

A BRT bus have fled for their lives, abandoning passengers to their fate, as a BRT bus caught fire at Maryland Lagos

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The driver and conductor of a BRT bus have fled for their lives, abandoning passengers to their fate, as a BRT bus caught fire at Maryland, Lagos State, on Saturday morning.

The vehicle departed from Ikorodu en route to CMS when the sad incident occurred.

As of the time this report was filed, emergency responders, including officers of the Nigeria Police Force, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), fire services, and local security personnel, arrived at the scene to contain the blaze.

One of the passengers on the bus told newsmen the fire started as smoke from the driver’s side.

According to her, the passengers initially thought the smoke emanated from other buses; however, the slight smoke soon worsened, immediately sending them into panic mode.
“As soon as we saw that the smoke grew bigger, we immediately rushed off the bus before the fire ignited”, she said, adding that none of the passengers sustained any injury.

She added that the driver fled the scene immediately after the fire started.
“The driver and the conductor ran away. They didn’t even wait to see what would happen to us.

“Definitely, they knew what happened. They knew the bus was bad before putting it on the road and risking our lives,” she alleged.

How 16-Year-Old Christian girl was allegedly kidnapped, forced into Islam In Adamawa 

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News Media had previously reported on March 29 that Miss Georgia, a Christian, was allegedly abducted and forced into Islam in Jambutu, Jimeta-Yola, Adamawa State.

In a heartwarming development, 16-year-old Miss Georgia Miracle, who was at the centre of an alleged abduction and forced Islamisation, has been reunited with her family. 

The teenager was handed back to her mother, Haina Miracle, in the early hours of Tuesday, just one day before a scheduled court appearance, marking a significant turn in the case that has captured the attention of both the Christian community and the broader Nigerian public.

SaharaReporters had previously reported on March 29 that Miss Georgia, a Christian, was allegedly abducted and forced into Islam in Jambutu, Jimeta-Yola, Adamawa State.

According to sources, Georgia, who her mother had raised following the untimely death of her father in 2015, was only six years old when her father passed away.

The young girl’s mother, whose heartfelt cries for help in the face of her daughter’s abduction made headlines last week, expressed immense relief and gratitude upon their reunion. 

Speaking to Rev. Sunday Jambutu, a local religious leader who played a key role in the case, she thanked God and the various groups who had rallied to her side.

Rev. Jambutu confirmed the release of the girl to her family on Friday, stating that the community’s intervention, including that of legal and religious representatives, had been crucial in securing her safe return. 

“We are thankful that the girl has been reunited with her mother,” he said, acknowledging the collective efforts of those who supported the case. “It is a victory for justice and a reminder of the strength of community solidarity.”

The ordeal began when Georgia was allegedly abducted in Adamawa, a state in northeastern Nigeria. 

According to reports, the young girl was taken by a Muslim man, Auwal Salihu, with the support of a group of fellow Muslims, who attempted to convert her to Islam forcibly. 

This sparked outrage among local Christian communities, who feared the girl was being groomed for marriage or indoctrination into a religion she did not wish to follow.

Georgia’s mother, a devout Christian, immediately raised the alarm, urging local authorities and religious leaders to intervene. 

“My daughter was taken from me, and they are trying to force her to accept a religion against her will,” she said in a desperate plea. Her call for justice resonated across the country, gaining support from local churches, activists, and advocacy groups.

As news of the incident spread, the Christian community in Adamawa, supported by national and international religious organisations, mobilised in a coordinated effort that led to action from local law enforcement. They began investigating the abduction and coercion claims.

On Tuesday, as the case approached a scheduled court hearing, authorities confirmed Georgia’s release. 

Sources indicated that negotiations, combined with the tireless work of legal advocates and religious leaders, played a crucial role in her safe return. Georgia was returned to her family without physical harm, although her emotional and psychological state remains understandably fragile.

A source close to the investigation revealed that the girl was not subjected to physical abuse during her captivity, but was coerced into efforts to convert her. It is unclear whether those responsible for her abduction will face formal charges, but the matter is still under investigation.

The church in Adamawa and beyond expressed relief upon hearing the news of Georgia’s return. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) issued a statement celebrating the reunification, underscoring the importance of standing against such abuses. 

“Today, we rejoice that justice has prevailed, and this young girl is safely back with her family,” said a representative of CAN.

The young girl’s mother, though visibly relieved, was still shaken by the events. 

“I am so happy to have my daughter back,” she said, holding back tears. “But I also pray that no other family goes through what we have gone through.”

Georgia, who will likely require time to recover from the trauma, is expected to receive counselling and support from her family and local Christian organisations as she begins the healing process.

Senator Godswill Akpabio, has strongly denied allegations by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan that he plotted to assassinate her

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President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has strongly denied allegations by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) that he plotted to assassinate her, describing the claims as malicious, false, and baseless.

Akpabio, in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, said he remains undeterred by what he described as a deliberate campaign of misinformation. He emphasized his continued commitment to national unity, institutional integrity, and the rule of law.

“As a statesman devoted to national unity and democratic values, I will not be distracted by malicious falsehoods or inflammatory rhetoric,” the statement read.

According to Eyiboh, formal letters of demand are being prepared to be served on both Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and former Senator Elisha Abbo, seeking immediate public retractions, apologies, and compensation for alleged reputational damage.

The statement, titled “Re: False and Malicious Allegations Targeting the President of the Senate,” strongly condemned what it described as a coordinated smear campaign.

“While speaking in Kogi State on April 1, 2025, the suspended Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan falsely alleged that Senator Akpabio had recruited former Governor Yahaya Bello to assassinate her. This outrageous accusation is not only false but a dangerous and provocative fabrication,” it said.

Eyiboh also reminded the public that Akpoti-Uduaghan had previously made an unsubstantiated accusation of sexual harassment against Akpabio—a claim which she later abandoned without clarification.

“Her recurring pattern of false accusations, including similar claims in 2019 and 2023 against other public figures, reveals a troubling exploitation of victimhood narratives for personal and political gain,” the statement added.

The Senate President also dismissed recent remarks by former Senator Elisha Abbo, who alleged during an April 2 interview on Arise TV that Akpabio manipulated the judiciary to remove him from office.

Eyiboh noted that Abbo had previously retracted those claims in 2023, issuing a public apology after admitting they were based on false assumptions. He emphasized that Abbo’s removal was the result of a constitutionally grounded judgment by the Court of Appeal, not political interference.

“His new claims regarding being denied entitlements are also categorically false. Senate entitlements are processed administratively and not at the discretion of the Senate President,” the statement clarified.

Eyiboh asserted that the timing and similarity of these attacks suggest a politically motivated effort to discredit the Senate’s leadership.

“These individuals, possibly backed by hidden interests, appear united in a desperate attempt to undermine the Senate and its leadership,” he said.

The statement confirmed that the Senate President will pursue legal options but emphasized his continued focus on legislative duties.

Death toll from the recent attacks in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State has risen to 52

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The death toll from the recent attacks in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State has risen to 52, according to local authorities.

This followed the recovery of 40 more bodies on Wednesday and Thursday night while the search and rescue team kept combing the bushes for missing persons.

The Chairman of Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) Vanguard, Farmasum Fuddang, told Channels Television that 31 persons were given a mass burial on Thursday with another five underaged victims burnt to ashes in Hurti village. 11 others were killed in Ruwi village, four in Manguna village with one person killed in Daffo village.

According to the Cultural Group Vanguard, residents are awaiting an outcome from the ongoing search and rescue of missing persons in the Hurti and Mbar villages respectively.

The Plateau State Government has condemned the attacks and called for calm as a coordinated security response is currently ongoing in the affected areas.
In a statement on Friday, the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, expressed concern about the renewed attacks.
She described the unfortunate incident as a setback to the gains in maintaining law and order by security agencies in the local government area.
“Security agencies have deployed and dominated these areas to ensure normalcy returns at the shortest possible time,” she stated.

“Additionally, important arrests have been made by the security agencies and this will hopefully help in stemming the tide of this ugly situation.”
Ramnap also urged Plateau residents to exercise restraint and refrain from taking the law into their own hands as the state government has deployed strategic measures to enhance intelligence gathering, surveillance, and rapid response mechanisms in collaboration with security operatives.

Also, religious, traditional, and community leaders have been urged to reinforce the message of peace, unity, and lawful engagement as the government is committed to upholding law and order and will not relent in its pursuit of justice against those who seek to destabilize the communities.

Residents were also encouraged to remain law-abiding, support security efforts, and utilize official channels for security concerns.

Abure still the national chairman – Labour Party

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The Labour Party (LP) has said Julius Abure remains its National Chairman despite a Supreme Court ruling that sacked him from the position.

A five-member panel of the Supreme Court sacked Abure by setting aside the decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which had recognised him as the party’s national chairman.
The apex court said the case against Abure was an internal party problem, and the appellate court lacked the jurisdiction to settle it.

It emphasised that the judiciary lacks jurisdiction over party internal affairs, adding that the appeal filed was allowed, being meritorious.
The apex court also pointed out that Abure’s tenure had already expired, just as it dismissed the cross-appeal filed by the Abure faction of the Labour Party.

Reacting, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, said the judgment favoured Abure because only political parties could determine their leaders.

“Supreme Court strikes out Nenadi, Abure suits, says only Political Parties can can determine who their leaders are. It also said that the courts shouldn’t dabble into the affairs of the political parties. Abure is still the National Chairman of the Labour Party,” Ifoh said.

Court restrains parties from sale of Lagos estate

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A Lagos State High Court, sitting at Yaba/Surulere Judicial Division, has granted an interim order restraining Oretol Nigeria Limited and Mr Adewale Oladapo from trespassing, selling, or dealing with a disputed four-hectare of land located at Hampton Estate (also known as Eletu Odibo Island), Osapa, Eti-Osa Local Council of the state.

Justice E.O. Ashade, ruled in favour of the claimant, Capital Gardens Limited, following a motion ex parte filed on March 13, 2025.

The motion sought to prevent the defendants from interfering with the land in question, which is delineated in Survey Plan No: FAI/3454/A01/2024/LA, prepared by Registered Surveyor A.I. Fashina on February 8, 2024.

The court also restrained the defendants and their representatives from entering, trespassing, or dealing with the disputed land in any way that interferes with the claimant’s interests.

The judge barred the defendants from marketing, selling, transferring, or assigning the land to third parties pending compliance with the Lagos State High Court Practice Directions No. 2 of 2019 on Pre-Action Protocol and determining any Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.

The court ordered the claimant to publish notices in the media to inform the public about the restraining orders. It warned potential buyers against engaging with the defendants concerning the disputed land.
It also directed Capital Gardens Limited to file an undertaking to comply with the Pre-Action Protocol before proceeding further with the case.
The claimant was represented by his legal counsel, Abraham Oladipupo, while the defendants were absent and had no legal representation in the proceedings.

Further hearing on the matter has been adjourned to June 2, for a compliance report.

How I survived two months in kidnappers’ den – Brig.-Gen. Maharazu Tsiga Rtd

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The former Director-General of the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Maharazu Tsiga Rtd. said he was able to come out alive from kidnappers’ den by the help and mercies of God.

Mr Tsiga said this on Thursday, when he and 18 other victims were reunited with their families by the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, in Abuja.

Mr Tsiga regained his freedom after spending 56 days in captivity having been abducted from his hometown Tsiga, in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State on Feb. 5, alongside nine other residents.

He said that his safe return was the kind of situation that was most important to be celebrated.

He said that apart from the danger being faced from their abductors, they were also faced with danger of being hurt by wild animals on the mountain that they were kept.

“The day before yesterday, on the mountain I was staying, unexpectedly, we just look around, we saw hyena parading around us to get its own food. And which kind of food? We, the human beings.
“Those of us that experienced that place, we always stay with snakes, scorpions.

“And one bad experience, particularly for those of us who, they knew our rank, whenever they are being attacked, sincerely speaking, they bring us out, so that the aircraft can hit us.

“But you know God is merciful.
“When a rocket was sent to us, it did not explode. They carried that rocket and kept it where I am sleeping so that immediately I come and touch it, it will explode.

“And that is why I told us, God is merciful,” he said.
The former NYSC DG also revealed that the nature of food they were being fed with was another threat to his health.

According to him, the terrorists said that those of them that were in uniform, government is always putting money for them to keep.
The retired army general also revealed that the terrorists only feared military aircraft, adding that they did not even fear God but military aircraft.

Mr Tsiga called on all Nigerians to join hands to fight and defeat insecurity in the country, saying that security should be seen as a collective responsibility.

“We should not sit down and believe that the government can do it alone. We must do it ourselves.
“So we thank Almighty God for giving us this opportunity to live again,” he said.

NAN