Category Nigeria News

Police authorities in Lagos State have arrested one self-acclaimed “Obi of Lagos” along with three accomplices over an alleged illegal installation. 

“The principal suspect, Engr. Chibuike Azubike ‘m’, aged 65 years, an indigene of Obodoukwu Ancient Kingdom, Ideato North LGA of Imo State, was arrested alongside three co-conspirators: Chief Chibuzor Ani ‘m’, aged 57 years; Chief Martins Nwaodika ‘m’, aged 65 years; and Mr. Ikechukwu Franklin Nnadi ‘m’, aged 41 years. All four suspects are presently in custody at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja,” the deputy spokesman of the Lagos Police Command, Babaseyi Oluseyi, wrote in a statement on Thursday. 

Oluseyi disclosed that the group had finalized arrangements to unveil a prototype of a purported ₦1.5 billion “Palace of Obi of Lagos State” on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Apple Hall, Amuwo Odofin. 

But operatives foiled their attempt to carry out the installation ceremony. 

READ ALSO: Prime Suspect In Owode Onirin Murder Submits Self To Police

POLICE ARREST SELF-ACCLAIMED “OBI OF LAGOS” ALONG WITH THREE ACCOMPLICES, FOIL PLANNED UNVEILING CEREMONY

The Lagos State Police Command today, Wednesday , September 10, 2025, successfully arrested a self-acclaimed traditional ruler who paraded himself as the “Obi of Lagos” pic.twitter.com/eBmcu9dzhg

“Acting on this information, the police promptly sealed off the venue in order to forestall any breach of the peace and to protect unsuspecting members of the public from being misled,” the statement read in part. 

“The suspects are currently in detention and investigation is progressing into their nefarious activities. The outcome of the investigation will be made public, and they will be charged to court accordingly,” the police said.

In the wake of the incident, the Lagos State Police Command Commissioner, Olohundare Jimoh, warned the public against impostors who attempt to exploit revered cultural and traditional institutions for selfish gains. 

Jimoh described such actions as unlawful, contrary to the statutes of Lagos State, and capable of breaching the peace of the society. 

The Federal Government has published the full list of 26 trade areas approved under its revised technical-education curriculum.

A statement signed on Wednesday by the Federal Ministry of Education, the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Bon Folasade, said the revised curriculum will convert all Federal Science and Technical Colleges to Federal Technical Colleges from the 2025/2026 academic year.

Announced by Education Minister Dr. Maruf Alausa and Minister of State Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, the overhaul requires each college to offer a minimum of six and a maximum of ten trade courses.

Students are expected to offer between nine and ten subjects (one core trade, five to six general subjects, two to three trade-related subjects, and one elective).

The ministry said the streamlining and modernisation of these trades responds to current industry demand across construction, energy, agriculture, automotive, creative media, and digital services sectors.

“The reform is designed to reduce overload, build strong trade competencies, align with global standards, and prepare young Nigerians for the jobs of the future,” the statement read.

The reform also introduces Citizenship and Heritage Studies alongside core science and language subjects.

READ ALSO: FG Publishes New Tax Reform Laws

Below is the full list of the 26 approved trades:

1. Brick laying, block laying and concreting
2. Woodwork, carpentry and joinery
3. Plumbing and pipe fitting
4. Computer hardware & GSM repair and maintenance
5. Refrigeration & air-conditioning works
6. Mechanised agriculture (mechanisation / smart agriculture)
7. Autobody works
8. Catering craft practice
9. Solar PV installation and maintenance
10. Fashion design and garment making
11. Livestock farming/animal husbandry
12. Fish farming (aquaculture)
13. Motorcycle & tricycle repairs
14. Painting, decoration and finishes (interior design)
15. Welding & fabrication
16. Auto-electrical wiring
17. Automobile mechanics
18. Beauty therapy & cosmetology
19. Creative media (digital media production/operations)
20. Electronic systems maintenance craft
21. Furniture making & upholstery
22. Networking & system security (including satellite TV antenna installation and maintenance)
23. Social media content creation and management
24. Tiling & cladding (tiling and decorative stonework / floor-cover installation)
25. Automobile CNG conversion and maintenance
26. Leather works

The Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, arraigned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives candidate for Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency by-election, and the Director General of her campaign organisation at the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja for alleged financial crimes.

The accused the agency identified as Esther Dawaki (candidate) and Shehu Fatange (the campaign DG) are facing prosecution before Justice Emeka Nwite on a five-count charge, bordering on accepting and making cash payments in excess of the amount authorised by law, conspiracy, and money laundering to the tune of ₦26 million.

Count one of the charge read, “That you, Esther Ashivilli Dawaki (F) and other, now at large on or about 16th of August, 2025 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did procure one Shehu Aliyu Fatange (M) to commit an offence to wit: accepting cash payment of the sum of ₦26,000,000.00, without going through a financial institution, which sum exceeded the amount authorised by the law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21(C )(a) and 19(1)(d) of Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the same Act.”

READ ALSO: Alleged Money Laundering: EFCC Declares Atiku’s Son-In-Law Wanted

Another charge read, “That you, Shehu Aliyu Fatange (M) on or about the 16th of August, 2025 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did accept cash payment of the sum of ₦26,000,000.00, which exceeds the amount authorised by the law to one Esther Ashivelli dawaki (F) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 2(1)(a) and 19(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition)Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the same Act.”

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges, following which prosecution counsel, M. O. Arumemi, asked the court for a trial date and for the defendants to be remanded in a correctional centre.

While counsel for the defendants, E. N. Ogbu and A. A. Ashat, made oral applications for their bail.

They asked that the defendants be remanded in the EFCC’s holding facility, pending determination of the bail applications.

But Justice Nwite ordered the remand of Dawaki, the first defendant in the Suleja Correctional Centre, while he ordered that Fatange, the second defendant, be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre.

He adjourned the matter till Monday, September 15, 2025, for the hearing of the bail application.

The suspects were arrested on August 16, 2025, following intelligence that allegedly exposed them to have possessed the sum of ₦26,463,000.00, which they kept inside a Toyota Corolla 2010 model, belonging to Shehu and packed within a hotel premises in Kaduna.

At least 10 children have lost their lives in Niger State following a fresh outbreak of diphtheria in the Agaie and Bida local government areas.

The deceased children were reportedly taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Bida, where they succumbed to complications from the disease despite medical efforts.

Local sources revealed that more fatalities had also been recorded in rural communities across the two LGAs since the outbreak began, though the exact figures remain unconfirmed.

The development has triggered anxiety among residents, who are calling for swift government intervention to prevent the disease from spreading further.

A resident of Bida, who spoke on condition of anonymity, lamented the rising toll and appealed for urgent supplies of vaccines and drugs.

READ ALSO: Lagos Govt To Remove Structures Under Power Lines In Makoko Community

“This is a matter of life and death, and we appeal to the state government to urgently provide drugs to Bida and Agaie general hospitals to curb the spread of the disease to other areas,” the resident said.

Confirming the outbreak, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tertiary Health Care, Mohammed Gana, said the government, in collaboration with health partners, had activated emergency response measures. According to him, steps are being taken to provide medication, strengthen surveillance, and contain the spread of the infection.

Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection that primarily affects the throat and airways, producing toxins that can damage the heart, kidneys, and nervous system.

It can be fatal if untreated, especially among children.

Authorities say that routine immunisation is the most effective preventive measure.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday received President Bola Tinubu the Elysee Palace in Paris.

The two leaders met over a private working lunch as part of President Tinubu’s ongoing diplomatic engagements in Europe.

Photographs released from the event showed both presidents exchanging greetings before proceeding to their discussions inside the palace.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga shared photos from the meeting on his X account as seen below:

The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the killing of three of its officers by unknown gunmen at a checkpoint at Egbe, in the Yagba West Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer, William Aya, who confirmed the incident to journalists in Lokoja, the state capital, stated that the incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday.

Aya said that the policemen were on duty when they were killed by the attackers.

Awa explained that the hoodlums emerged from the bush and attacked the team when they arrived for their routine patrol.

According to him, the policemen were killed before the reinforced team arrived at the scene, while the attackers fled.

READ ALSO: Notorious Bandit Commander Kachalla Bala Killed In Kogi

He, however, stated that the command was on the trail of the gunmen as the Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, had deployed the police tactical team to the area.

“I can confirm to you that three of our officers on duty were killed today in Egbe, a border community with Kwara State.

“The Commissioner of Police has deployed a tactical squad to the area. We are currently on the trail of the unknown gunmen, and I am assuring you that the perpetrators of the killings will be arrested