Category Nigeria News

The Nigerian Navy has intercepted a fibre boat carrying about 4,000 litres of suspected Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Lagos waters.

The operation was carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft in the early hours of Saturday, October 11, 2025, near Commodore Pool within the Atlas Cove area.

During a press briefing on Thursday, the Executive Officer of NNS Beecroft, Captain Idongesit Udoessien, confirmed the interception on behalf of the Commander, Commodore Paul Nimmyel.

He said the boat was intercepted through the Navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness facility, known as the Falcon Eye Alignment, which enables real-time monitoring of activities along the coastline.

“Our patrol team stationed at Tarkwa Bay intercepted a fibre boat laden with about 4,000 litres of product suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil. The suspects abandoned the boat and fled upon sighting our patrol team,” Captain Udoessien said.

He added that the seized product had been handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, for further investigation.

READ ALSO: Military Arrests Wanted IPOB Commander, Eight Others

Captain Udoessien noted that the interception reflected the Directive of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, to maintain a credible presence across the Lagos waterways.

“This operation is part of our ongoing effort to rid the maritime environment of all forms of economic sabotage and crime,” he stated.

The officer warned those involved in oil theft and other illegal maritime activities to desist or face severe consequences.

“We will not rest on our oars in pursuing criminal elements operating within our area of responsibility. NNS Beecroft will continue to intensify surveillance, patrols, and intelligence-driven missions to deny criminals freedom to operate in Lagos waterways,” he said.

The Nigerian military has confirmed the arrest of a wanted commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), identified as ‘Gentle,’ along with eight of his accomplices in Imo and Ebonyi states.

Confirming the arrest at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Magnus Kangye, said ‘Gentle’ had been on the military’s wanted list for his alleged terrorist activities in the South-East region.

“The Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA troops sustained offensive operations throughout the week under review.

“Between 8 and 13 October, they conducted several offensives and arrested a suspected IPOB/ESN terrorist commander identified as Gentle, who had been on the troops’ wanted list, alongside eight other criminals in Owerri West and Mbaitoli Local Government Areas of Imo State, as well as Izzi and Ohaukwu Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State,” Kangye said.

READ ALSO: Five Policemen Killed In Zamfara Bandit Ambush As Gov Lawal Mourns

He added that troops recovered several weapons, ammunition, and vehicles during the operations.

Kangye also disclosed that a female collaborator linked to IPOB’s Eastern Security Network (ESN) was arrested in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State on 13 October.

“The suspect is believed to be one of their logistics suppliers.

“During her arrest, three children were found in her custody, and investigations revealed they were the biological children of a wanted IPOB/ESN leader identified as Maduabuchi Nwankwo, also known as ‘Emergency’,” he revealed.

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has asked the Federal Government to withdraw and review the list of those granted pardon by President Bola Tinubu.

In a press release made available to journalists on Thursday evening, the senior lawyer said this should be done in the interest of justice and national morality.

While not disputing the powers of the President to grant pardons, reprieves, and commutations of sentences to persons convicted of any offence created by an Act of the National Assembly, Falana noted that those granted pardon include convicted politically exposed persons, drug addicts and barons, armed robbers, and terrorists as well as persons convicted for contravening state offences like culpable homicide, murder and obtaining by false pretences.

The Senior Advocate stated that the Prerogative of Mercy Committee should recommend to state governors to consider granting pardon to the persons who were convicted of state offences in the list of pardonees in accordance with Section 212 of the Nigerian Constitution.

READ ALSO: Presidential Pardon At Review Stage, Not Yet Final – AGF Fagbemi

The statement reads, “Following the recommendation of the Prerogative of Mercy Committee headed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi SAN, President Bola Tinubu recently granted pardon to 175 persons convicted for various offences.

“It is indisputable that the President is empowered by virtue of section 175 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to exercise the grant pardons, reprieves, and commutations of sentences to persons convicted of any offence created by an Act of the National Assembly.

“The list of pardonees include convicted politically exposed persons, drug addicts and barons, armed robbers, and terrorists as well as persons convicted for contravening state offences like culpable homicide, murder, obtaining by false pretences.

“The federal government should withdraw and review the list of pardonees without any delay in the interest of justice and national morality. In particular, the Prerogative of Mercy Committee should recommend to State Governors to consider granting pardon to the persons who were convicted of state offences in the list of pardonees in accordance with Section 212 of the Nigerian Constitution.”

Meanwhile, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has clarified that no inmate approved for clemency under the recent exercise of President Bola Tinubu’s power of prerogative of mercy has been released from custody.

The office of the AGF said the process remains at the final administrative stage, which includes a standard review to ensure that all names and recommendations fully comply with established legal and procedural requirements before any instrument of release is issued.

A statement personally signed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), on Thursday, said, “It is important to note that the last stage of the exercise, after approval by the Council of State, is the issuance of the instrument for the implementation of the decision concerning each beneficiary.

“This stage affords an opportunity for a final look at the list for remedial purposes, if any, before the instrument is forwarded to the Controller-General of Corrections for necessary action.”

The Executive Director of YIAGA Africa, Samson Itodo, has said that the forthcoming Anambra Governorship Election will be the first major test for the newly confirmed Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Joash Amupitan.

Itodo, in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, said that despite Professor Amupitan’s credentials and experience reflecting capacity and intellect, his real test begins once he assumes duty on electoral matters.

“Based on his credentials, he has the capacity. Does he have the mental stamina and ability? It is clear from today that he does.

“But this is a screening; when he gets into office, he is going to face a major test. The first major test is the Anambra election, which is only a few weeks away,” Itodo stated.

The Anambra Governorship Election will be held on November 8, 2025, and is expected to involve about 2.8 million voters and 16 political parties.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo (APGA) will seek re-election against Nicholas Ukachukwu (APC), George Moghalu (Labour Party) and other contenders.

READ ALSO: I Never Represented Tinubu At 2023 Presidential Election Petitions Court — Amupitan

The YIAGA Africa director said that the senate screening had shown that the law professor possesses the capacity and integrity to lead the electoral body, but must now demonstrate courage and independence in office.

“To the best of our knowledge, there hasn’t been any petition written questioning his integrity. So, to a large extent, you can say that this individual has the moral standing and integrity to hold this office,” he said.

‘Independence To Sanction Bad Eggs’

Itodo urged the new INEC Chairman to assert his independence by ensuring corrupt officials face the full weight of the law, emphasising that integrity must permeate every level of the commission.

“He must assert independence and make bad eggs face the full wrath of the law. INEC is not about Prof. Amupitan alone. There are 12 national commissioners, 37 resident electoral commissioners, and 774 electoral officers.

“If they do not cooperate with the vision set by the chairman, and politicians compromise them, we will be back to ground zero,” he warned.

The YIAGA Africa director added that Amupitan would need more than personal integrity to manage the commission effectively.

“Having worked on elections for two decades, I can tell you he is going to need more than that in engaging INEC officials. The question is how to hold complicit officials to account, especially when some are bought over by politicians in power,” he said.

Despite commending the Senate for its robust screening, Itodo lamented that Nigerians missed an opportunity to hear the chairman’s vision on electoral reform.

“What the Senate and Nigeria actually lost was the opportunity to hear him speak to the nation about questions related to electoral justice,” he said.

Vow To ‘Review Electoral Act’

Earlier on Thursday, the Senate confirmed Amupitan as the new Chairman of the INEC after an intense two-hour screening session.

At the screening, the chairman vowed to “reform Nigeria’s electoral process to ensure credible polls where losers accept results as fair.”

He promised to “review the Electoral Act to fix timeline inconsistencies” and also denied links to any 2023 election legal teams.

The 58-year-old law professor was nominated by President Bola Tinubu and received formal endorsement from the National Council of State last week. He succeeds Mahmood Yakubu and becomes the sixth substantive INEC chairman.

Other elections on the horizon under the new chairman’s belt include the FCT Area Council Election (February 2026), the Ekiti Governorship Election (June 2026), and the Osun Governorship Election (August 2026).

Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, has declared that the state’s governance has been fully restored.

He claimed that significant local government area projects that had been stalled had been restarted, confirming his administration’s commitment to peace and development.

Governor Fubara made this known on Thursday at a meeting with traditional rulers in Port Harcourt’s Banquet Hall.

He explained that the meeting was holding a meeting to inform the state’s royal fathers about the “return of governance” following what he termed a state emergency.

Fubara informed the monarchs that most of the projects that had been suspended, including those involving the Port Harcourt Ring Road, hospitals, and road networks, had resumed.

“I’m going to tell you that we’re back today,” I said. It’s all of us, not just me. The government has resurrected. The majority of the project sites have reopened.

The Ring Road has reopened. The hospitals return to their original locations. He said that as of right now, we have met with contractors and they have returned to their sites on the roads.

READ MORE: Rivers Government Cancels Ibas’ 134 billion contract

The Governor promised to revisit all shortened development projects.

In the end, it has to do with the people, of course. Whatever we do, we must ensure that our people’s interests are foremost. He claimed that every system component has been activated.

Call for Peace

Governor Fubara credited the traditional rulers with being the people’s most enamored leaders and cultural custodians.

He urged them to support the government’s programs for sustainable development and maintain peace in their respective domains.

You have no control over what happens in Kula’s most intimate location from Port Harcourt, residing in Government House.

Who would be the closest to you, a local government official or a councillor? You have complete control over the large kingdoms’ families and communities. I should always pay attention to you, he said if we need to pray for peace and pursue development.

The Governor urged the monarchs to work together to maintain peace in their communities.

You want our success, do you? Assure that you support government initiatives and maintain peace in your communities. I’ll treat you with the respect that you deserve, he continued.

Fubara also promised to fulfill any obligations he had set up with the traditional rulers by November’s end.

He claimed that soon the benefits, including the provision of cars and other entitlements, would be made available.

The Governor emphasized the value of quarterly council meetings, calling on the governor to prioritize the interests of Rivers State over the individual’s.

Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, Eze Oha Apara IV, and Paramount Ruler of the Apara Kingdom, the Governor’s head of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, expressed gratitude to God for his quick return after the crisis.

He praised Fubara for his bravery and maturity in the state’s trying times.

Other monarchs made speeches, including King Onyekachi Amaonwo, King Onyekachi Amaonwo, King Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, King Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, King Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, King Disreal Gbobo Bob-Manuel, and the Oba, Eze Ogba of Omuma Kingdom, Eze Nwachukwu Nnam Obi III.

They praised the Governor’s development efforts and praised his return as an answer to the people’s requests.

He was urged to continue focusing on community development, job creation, and youth empowerment by the royal fathers.

The Rivers State Executive Council has taken a major decision at its first meeting since the suspension of the six-month state of emergency.

The meeting, held at the Government House in Port Harcourt, reviewed key contracts and policies implemented during the emergency rule.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara presided over the session attended by the Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Odu, the Secretary to the State Government, the Head of Service, eight retained commissioners, and the Permanent Secretaries of Works and Education.

After extensive deliberations, the Council cancelled the ₦134 billion contract for the reconstruction of the State Secretariat Complex earlier awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) during the emergency rule.

The Council also directed the company to refund the ₦20 billion mobilisation fee it received.

It further ordered a fresh bidding process for other revoked projects in Opobo/Nkoro and Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Areas, previously advertised in February.

READ ALSO: Senate Confirms Amupitan As INEC Chairman

The Council approved a six-man committee chaired by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, to evaluate and recommend sites for Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the state.

The centres will facilitate external examinations and improve digital learning infrastructure.

The flood committee, also led by the Deputy Governor, was directed to take immediate action to curb flash floods across affected communities.

The Council further warned residents against blocking drainage channels and called for public cooperation to prevent flooding.