Category Nigeria News

Despite a Federal High Court’s ban on demonstrations near important government locations in Abuja, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has vowed to carry out the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest.

Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB leader, has been in custody since his extradition from Kenya in 2021, and is facing terrorism charges, and the protest is scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025.

The African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate for the 2023 elections, according to an X post, stated that his 115 legal representatives would challenge any alleged court order that had been served and that the protest would continue to be peaceful, legal, and orderly.

The moment we are served on Monday, our legal team will challenge any alleged court order. Let’s be clear, however, that nothing can stop this mass movement.

The sacrosanctity of “October 20 #FreeNnamdiKanuNow.” We march peacefully, legally, and decisively, he continued.

Prior to this, the Nigeria Police Force had earlier issued a warning to all protest groups that were required to follow a persistent court order that forbids gatherings close to sensitive locations, including Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.

Read more about the U.S. Embassy’s security alert prior to the planned #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja.

The Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Omoyele Sowore and four others were ordered by Justice M. Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, according to a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin.

The statement read, “The Order restrains the respondents and any other persons or groups acting on their instructions from staging protests within and around Aso Rock Villa and its environs.”

Hundeyin argued that while the police upheld citizens’ right to peaceful assembly, they had to “use them responsibly and within the law’s parameters.”

He stated that the Force would maintain public order and security and that it would prosecute those who violated the law or used incitement.

“Double Standards”

Sowore claimed that when enforcing protest rights across the country, the police used double standards.

He expressed his satisfaction that the Nigerian Police have finally shown some respect for the constitutional right to assembly.

He questioned why the same police force had not sought a similar court order for several days prior to requesting a similar ruling against groups that had protested Nnamdi Kanu’s release.

“Suppose a court order exists to halt protests in the Aso Rock Villa neighborhood. In that situation, it becomes clear why the same police force did not issue a similar order for those who freely protested for three days in a row against Nnamdi Kanu’s release. “Sowed asked,”

He described the situation as “glaring hypocrisy” and “undeniable double standards.”

Hundeyin claimed that the FCT Commissioner of Police has been given instructions from the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure strict enforcement of the court order and maintain visible deployments across the capital’s troubled areas.

The Force warned against hostile public order-related protests or counterprotesters, citing the need for punitive measures for offenders.

Phase Two of its 600 youth empowerment program has been kicking off with the help of the Katsina State Government and the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria Youth Wing (YOWICAN).

300 beneficiaries received SMEs grants at the Katsina State Secretariat Conference Hall on Saturday, while others, including students, farmers, widows, orphans, and underprivileged people, received one-term scholarships, grants, and cash assistance.

Abubakar Tsanni, the Special Adviser to Governor Dikko Radda on Youth Development, urged the youths to use the opportunities that are available to them to become self-employed instead of relying on government jobs.

He claimed that the government could support people who want to learn something so they can work as independent contractors.

Praise Isaiah, the YOWICAN chairman, stated that the program aims to empower youths to stop social vices and protect the state.

He pointed out that the program intends to empower 1, 000 youths in 26 of the 34 LGAs, which are Christian-dominated regions.

Also read: A Customs Officer Was Found Dead at the Katsina Hotel

In a related development, 34 youth-led organizations in Katsina State received a one-day capacity-building training on agenda setting.

The Youth Action for Local Development (YALD) Project funded the training to promote good governance and promote youth inclusion in local government.

Yahaya Lugga, the project’s technical coordinator, stated that the project aims to empower young people to promote good governance at the local government level.

LGA representatives were given the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully implement the YALD Project by the training, which gave them the opportunity to network and exchange best practices.

Bello, a youth development expert, presented a paper titled Building Youth Power: Advocacy & Community Organizing For Development in Katsina State during the training.

In a fatal collision along the Abakaliki–Enugu Expressway in Ebonyi State, six people died and 14 others were hurt.

A tipper truck and a bus carrying passengers were involved in the accident that took place in the Ishielu Local Government Area near the Nkalagu overhead bridge.

According to Anthony Ogbodo, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ebonyi State, 22 people were involved in the collision, and two of them escaped unharmed.

He attributed dangerous overtaking on the busy road to the cause of the collision.

According to Ogbodo, the victims were immediately taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

According to him, “some of the injured victims were taken by our officers and the Red Cross to the Annunciation and Orthopaedic Hospitals in Enugu, while others were transferred to the General Hospital in Ezzamgbo in Ebonyi State.”

READ ALSO: Police Recalls Two Officers’ Deaths In An Attack At The Kaduna Police Station

The Enugu–Nkalagu Expressway, which a resident of Nkalagu described as one of the area’s riskiest routes, blaming its poor construction and poor design for frequent accidents.

The road’s one-way nature and the hard concrete central demarcation, which prevents vehicles from maneuvering around or avoiding careless drivers, make it dangerous, according to the resident.

A one-kilometer stretch from the Enugu–Nkalagu boundary to the junction has continued to be unfinished and blocked since 2019, when former governor David Umahi first proposed dualizing the Enugu–Abakaliki Expressway with a flyover at the Nkalagu junction.

“The central demarcation only makes things worse, leaving vehicles without options in emergencies.” On this road, it rarely goes past without an accident, the resident continued.

The remaining 51 foreigners who have been found guilty and sentenced for cyber-terrorism, internet fraud, and other financial crimes in Lagos have been found guilty. &nbsp,

The 192 foreigners who were involved in the crimes are now successful at being repatriated.

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) collaborated with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct the investigation.

Following a sting operation on December 10, 2024, at Oyin Jolayemi Street in Lagos, 759 suspects were detained after the EFCC learned that one of the biggest syndicates operating in Nigeria was being led by foreigners and engaged in Ponzi schemes.

The Federal High Court in Lagos convicted the 192 foreign nationals under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, after months of investigation and prosecution. After their prison sentences have been served, the court also ordered their deportation.

The deported individuals, who are Chinese, Filipino, Tunisian, Malaysian, Timor-Leste, Pakistani, and Kyrgyz nationals, were flown by various airlines in coordinated batches between mid-August and mid-October 2025.

One of Nigeria’s biggest transnational cybercrime crackdowns in recent years came to an end with the successful deportation of the last batch of convicts, which started on August 15, 2025.

Read more about the EFCC’s immigration repatriation of 51 additional foreigners detained for internet fraud.

Ola Olukoyede, the head of the EFCC, described the deportation as “a strong endorsement of Nigeria’s commitment to rid its cyberspace of transnational criminal networks” in an official statement.

This milestone demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s digital and financial ecosystems. Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s anti-corruption drive, the EFCC will continue to act quickly on intelligence, prosecute offenders, and recover proceeds from crimes, Olukoyede said.

The Nigerian Immigration Service and the Nigerian Correctional Service worked side-by-side during the exercise, and the EFCC Chairman applauded their seamless cooperation, stating that the inter-agency collaboration allowed for the safe keeping, prosecution, and eventual repatriation of all prisoners.

The first batch of 42 convicts, which included Chinese and Filipino nationals, left Nigeria on August 15, 2025, according to the EFCC’s deportation records, followed by several more flights in the months of August and September.

On October 16, 2025, the final batch of 51 convicts, including 50 Tunisians and 50 Chinese nationals, were repatriated, bringing the total number deported to 192.

The deported convicts were involved in a wide range of cybercrime operations, including identity theft, online romance scams, Ponzi investment schemes, and digital training under the guise of Genting International Co. Limited, the Commission confirmed.

The Zonkwa Divisional Police Headquarters in the state’s Zango Kataf Local Government Area was attacked, and the Kaduna State Police Command has confirmed that two officers were killed.

On Friday, the gunmen reportedly invaded the police department by opening fire on officers while they were on duty in an effort to free some gang members who have reportedly been arrested and detained at the station by breaking unfenced perimeters and opening fire on them.

Two police officers on duty, DSP Monday Madaki and Inspector Bin Magaji, were shot to death, according to the Kaduna State Police Command spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan, who was later confirmed by doctors.

Also read: Gunmen Attack Kaduna Police Station, Kill Two Officers, Free Inmates, etc.

He continued, “The gunmen fled right away after the attack,” before the DPO of the Zonkwa Division’s mobilization of additional policemen and military personnel arrived on the scene.

The police spokesman added that the attackers had made more efforts to apprehend the fugding gunmen because no weapons or prisoners had been taken during the assault.

The Zonkwa Divisional Police attack was criticized and described as vile and deplorable by the Kaduna South Senator, Sunday Marshall Katung.

The senator remarked in a statement that such a criminal assault on the country’s security forces is wicked, barbaric, and reproachable, and that it deserves a condemnation absolue.

Ronald Araujo’s powerful strike in stoppage time earned Barcelona a 2-1 victory over Girona, propelling them to the top of La Liga on Saturday.

In the 93rd minute, the defender scored to give Barca a one-point lead over Real Madrid, who travel to Getafe on Sunday. The defender was substituted as an emergency forward.

In another game, Antony scored twice for Real Betis, fourth overall, to draw 2-2 with third-place Villarreal.

After falling to Girona twice in a row, Araujo’s late goal gave Hansi Flick’s Barca the 19th advantage.

Barcelona took a lead early on thanks to Pedri Gonzalez, but Axel Witsel equalized with a superb overhead kick for the Girona side who had already conceded a point.

We didn’t play our best match, but we fought to the end and scored the winning goal, which will help us prepare for the following matches, at least that’s what I’m hoping, according to Barca coach Flick.

After recovering from the groin injury that prevented him from Spain’s most recent World Cup qualifiers, Flick made Lamine Yamal return to the starting lineup.

The Catalans were only able to recover from their 4-1 defeat to Sevilla in their previous La Liga game, which the teenager winger also missed.

Robert Lewandowski, a striker, was among the injured players who were given a league debut by Flick, who is now 17-year-old forward Toni Fernandez.

Both sets of players sat still for 15 seconds after the whistle blew for kickoff in line with the protest organized by the Spanish footballers’ association against Barca’s December game against Villarreal, which has been moved to Miami.

After Jules Kounde and Yamal were successful, Barca allowed midfielder Pedri to pass into the bottom right corner with a casual pass. The pair took the lead and took the 13th minute lead.

Also read:  Yamil Sets To Return As Wounded Barca Start Clasico Countdown

Girona quickly found a way to bring their season-ending position back to level, finishing in the top four two seasons ago.

In the 20th minute, Witsel stunned the hosts with a stunning overhead kick that equalized.

The visitors repeatedly created danger behind Barcelona’s high line.

After breaking in behind Barca’s defense, Cristian Portu hit the post, spurning two more one-on-ones.

As a consolation for the minnows, Marcus Rashford warned them and hit the crossbar with a free kick at the other end.

We Really Needed This!

Despite chasing the game, Flick made a surprising double change, removing star players Yamal and Pedri and keeping in mind both the game’s title game and the upcoming Clasico game on Saturday.

Rashford, who also had a penalty appeal thrown away, was thwarted by Paulo Gazzaniga’s excellent save from his near post.

Araujo was sent on as a striker by Flick in the final moments of desperation, and the Uruguayan delivered deep in stoppage time, beating Frenkie de Jong’s cross to take three points.

Araujo celebrated by claiming a victory for Barca that appeared improbable despite a subpar second-half performance.

Real Madrid must win tomorrow because we are currently in a top league position, according to Flick.

We needed this victory and goal, but we are missing the dynamic that we typically have.

After making a gesture that was viewed as offensive in Spain as he celebrated Araujo’s goal, Flick was sent off in the final stages for dissent and will likely receive a touchline ban at the Santiago Bernabéu next weekend and possibly beyond.

After their fifth successive defeat of the campaign, Girona were left to heal.

We think we had four or five excellent chances, but we should have had more, Witsel told DAZN.

We must consider the first half of our game and keep that in mind for our next game, but it’s hard to let in a goal like that.

On Saturday, Atletico Madrid will face Osasuna in a pointless encounter, aiming to tie the score with Betis.

The Andalusians fought back from two goals down with a brace from former Manchester United winger Antony, leaving the Yellow Submarine one point ahead of Betis and five points behind Barca.