Category Nigeria News

The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed that the case involving the killing of a 300-level student of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Godwin Akpakpan, has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation.

A spokesperson for the Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this to Channels Television on Monday.

SP Iringe-Koko said the police are working in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure justice is served.

“(The) case has been transferred to SCID for discrete investigation and a panel has been set up by the military with a representative of all service commanders in attendance on the matter,” she said.

The student, a Computer Science undergraduate, was reportedly shot dead by a security operative in an off-campus incident.

In reaction, the University of Port Harcourt has demanded a thorough investigation into the killing.

READ ALSO: 11 Kidnapped Victims Rescued As Police Foil Attempt In Katsina

In a statement signed by a university spokesman Dr Sam Kpenu, the institution expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss and described Akpakpan as a “bonafide member of our academic community.”

“The University is actively engaging with relevant security authorities to fully understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic event. We expect that a thorough investigation will be conducted and that appropriate actions will be taken in line with justice and the rule of law,” the statement read.

The university also urged students and staff to remain calm and allow the investigation process to proceed without interference.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues during this very difficult time,” the statement continued while reaffirming the management’s commitment to the safety and well-being of all students and staff.

Senator Remi Tinubu, the wife of President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, led the distribution of 10,000 professional kits to midwives and nurses in the South-East geopolitical zone of the country, as part of efforts to enhance healthcare delivery across Nigeria.

The event, held in Enugu State, marked the final phase of a nationwide distribution of kits to midwives under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), a programme aimed at strengthening frontline healthcare support.

“I am delighted to be in Enugu State to officially flag off the distribution of 10,000 professional kits to midwives in the South-East states—namely Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo—with Enugu being the chief host today,” she said.

She said the kits, which include branded scrubs and pairs of crocs, are part of a broader plan to equip midwives for effective delivery.

“This event is to complement the ongoing Federal Government training exercise for 120,000 frontline health workers nationwide. I have been told that 60,470 workers have already completed their training,” she noted.

According to her, the RHI has so far procured 60,000 branded scrubs and 60,000 pairs of crocs.

“Since the initial launch in January 2025, we have distributed 50,000 scrubs and 50,000 pairs of Crocs to five geopolitical zones—namely North Central, North East, North West, South-South and the South-West.

“Today, we are in Enugu to distribute the remaining 10,000 each of the Crocs and scrubs,” she added.

She also revealed that the project has been made possible through the “generous support of an anonymous global partner, dedicated to improving health outcomes for our citizens”.

In addition to the kit distribution, Mrs Tinubu announced a grant to support women petty traders in the state. “In the spirit of today’s event, the Renewed Hope Initiative will be presenting an additional grant of ₦50 million to the First Lady of Enugu State, with the sum of ₦50,000 each to support 1,000 women petty traders in Enugu State to recapitalise their existing businesses,” she revealed.

READ ALSO: Nigeria To Reduce Maternal Mortality Rate By 20% In 2027 — FG

Mrs Tinubu further disclosed plans to launch a new health campaign on Tuesday. “Tomorrow I’ll be launching the Free-to-Shine triple elimination campaign for HIV/AIDS, Syphilis and Hepatitis here in Enugu State.

“This initiative aims to promote healthier mothers, reduce new HIV infections amongst women of reproductive age, eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, and provide treatment to children born with HIV,” she said.

She noted that since its inception in 2023, the Renewed Hope Initiative has provided targeted interventions in agriculture, economic empowerment, education, health and social investment to uplift families across Nigeria.

“The RHI recognises that the demands of the health profession require not only skill and compassion but also the right tools and kits to encourage our midwives as they serve others.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project Nigeria has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to withdraw the threat to shut down 34 foreign embassies in Abuja over ground rent debts.

The group’s reaction followed recent revelations by the FCTA that at least 34 embassies in Abuja owe rents for as far back as 2014.

Among the embassies listed are those of Ghana, Thailand, Equatorial Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Russia, Philippines, Netherlands, Turkey, Guinea, Ireland, Uganda, Iraq, Zambia, Tanzania, Germany, DR Congo, Venezuela, Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, Egypt, Chad, India, Sudan, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Indonesia, the European Union, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, China, and South Africa.

SERAP, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, warned that allowing Wike to carry out the threat would violate international law and diplomatic conventions.

READ ALSO: Elections: It’s Too Early To Talk About 2027, That’s Like Playing God — Governor Otti

The group said, “President Tinubu should urgently caution and direct the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to immediately withdraw the threat to close down 34 embassies in Abuja.

“Article 22, paragraph 1, of the Vienna Convention states that ‘the premises of the mission shall be inviolable’.

“Article 22, paragraph 3, sets out that ‘the premises of the mission, their furnishings and other property thereon and the means of transport of the mission shall be immune from search, requisition, attachment or execution’”.

In a directive issued on May 26, Wike had ordered enforcement action on 4,794 properties with unpaid rents ranging from 10 to 43 years.

The Katsina State Police Command said it has foiled a kidnap attempt and rescued 11 kidnapped victims comprising nine females and two males along the Danmusa to Mara Dangeza village road in Danmusa LGA of the State.

The Police Spokesman, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, in a statement on Monday, noted that the success is part of a significant breakthrough recorded by the Command in the ongoing fight against kidnapping and banditry in the state.

He recalled that, on June 8, 2025, at about 2230 hrs (10:30 pm), a joint security team comprising Police operatives, the Military, DSS, a team of Operation Sharan Daji operatives, members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps, and vigilantes while on a routine patrol along the Danmusa to Mara Dangeza village road, Danmusa LGA, Katsina State, successfully foiled the kidnap attempt and rescued the kidnapped victims.

He stated that the team encountered a group of armed bandits attempting to escape with their victims kidnapped from various locations within the state. A gun battle ensued afterwards, leading to the successful rescue of all 11 victims as the bandits fled the scene due to superior tactics and firepower.

READ ALSO: Police Arrest 13 After Murder Of Naval Officer In Kaduna

As investigation is ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and prevent further occurrences, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Bello Shehu, commended the operatives for their uncommon act of bravery and reaffirmed the command’s commitment, in collaboration with sister security agencies, to fighting the menace of kidnapping in the state.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) says the majority of inmates across various custodial centres nationwide have already been successfully enrolled into the National Identity Management Commission’s (NIMC) Database.

The NCoS noted that this was achieved through the collaborative efforts of the Service and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

It added that, as at 7th June, 2025, out of the total of 80, 879 inmates’ population, 59,786 inmates, approximately 74% have been added to the database of the NIMC.

READ ALSO: Suspected Phone Thieves Stab Naval Officer To Death In Kaduna 

The Service made this known in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Umar Abubakar, debunking reports that the National Identity Number (NIN) registration exercise is yet to commence in all custodial centres across the country.

Abubakar said the registration of the remaining inmates is actively in progress, and mechanisms have been put in place to ensure its seamless completion.

He maintained that the claim that the registration has “yet to commence” in custodial centres is factually incorrect and fails to acknowledge the substantial work already done.

He added that the Service remains committed to the full integration of inmates into national data systems, including the NIN, as part of broader efforts to promote rehabilitation, reintegration, and the digital inclusion of all persons in custody.

The statement reads, “The attention of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has been drawn to a recent publication by a section of the media alleging that the National Identity Number (NIN) registration exercise is yet to commence in all custodial centres across the country. This report is misleading, inaccurate, and does not reflect the current state of affairs within our custodial facilities.

“The Service wishes to categorically state that the NIN registration of inmates in our custodial centres is not only ongoing but has recorded significant progress. A majority of inmates across various custodial centres nationwide have already been successfully enrolled into the National Identity Database through the collaborative efforts of the Service and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

Available data show that as at 7thJune, 2025, out of the total of 80, 879 inmates’ population, 59,786 inmates approximately 74% have been captured into the NIMC platform.

“The registration of the remaining inmates is actively in progress, and mechanisms have been put in place to ensure its seamless completion.
The claim that the registration has “yet to commence” in custodial centres is factually incorrect and fails to acknowledge the substantial work already done.

“The Service remains committed to the full integration of inmates into national data systems, including the NIN, as part of broader efforts to promote rehabilitation, reintegration, and the digital inclusion of all persons in custody.