In connection with the state’s illegal possession of firearms, armed robbery, cattle rustling, and kidnapping, the Plateau State Police Command has made 15 arrests.
During a press conference held at the Command Headquarters in Jos on Thursday, Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina, the police commissioner, confirmed the rescue of a kidnap victim and the recovery of locally produced weapons.
We have detained members of kidnapping syndicates, rescued victims, and recovered firearms during various operations carried out during the period under review, according to Adesina, as part of our ongoing efforts to stop Plateau State from carrying out criminal activities.
Auwal Mohammed, a 20-year-old suspect, was detained in Jos North with items allegedly possessed by kidnapping victims, according to the CP. Four suspects were apprehended in Jos after police intercepted a car carrying an Ebuka kidnap victim. Three others tied to a kidnapping syndicate were apprehended in Bassa Local Government Area. The gang recovered a locally produced pistol.
After pursuing them to Nasarawa State, the police boss also revealed that suspects in the Qua’an Pan and Shendam LGAs were questioned after being tracked down. In separate incidents, suspects were apprehended for possessing locally manufactured weapons and live ammunition.
The police commissioner also provided safety advice to Plateau State residents.
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has flagged off the Kaduna State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (KADSEMSAS), describing it as a landmark in his administration’s commitment to saving lives and ensuring no citizen is denied access to emergency healthcare.
Speaking at the official launch on Thursday, the governor said the initiative was not just about unveiling ambulances, but about guaranteeing the right to timely medical intervention for every resident of the state.
“Today marks a transformative moment in the history of Kaduna State”, Sani declared. “Our vision is simple but profound: no citizen of Kaduna State should be denied timely medical intervention because of distance, delay, or lack of access”.
The new system features a fleet of ambulances fitted with life-saving equipment, a central dispatch center staffed with trained personnel, and emergency medical technicians and paramedics who will stabilize patients en route to hospitals. It will function across all 23 Local Government Areas, covering both urban centers and rural villages.
“In times of crisis — whether a maternal complication, a road traffic accident, or a cardiac emergency—minutes can mean the difference between life and death”, the governor explained. “This deliberate step underscores our resolve to leave no one behind — urban or rural, rich or poor—in our quest to save lives”.
Under the arrangement, citizens will be able to call a dedicated emergency line, after which the nearest ambulance will be dispatched. The state hopes the initiative will significantly reduce response times, particularly in maternal and neonatal emergencies where delays often prove fatal.
READ ALSO: Over 35% Of Nigerian Children Face Malnutrition – NARD
Governor Sani stressed that the program reflects his administration’s “people-first philosophy”, noting that healthcare reforms since he assumed office have been anchored on the principle of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“We have consistently declared that access to healthcare is a right, not a privilege”, he said. “We have strengthened the Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority (KADCHMA), revitalized our primary health centres, prioritized maternal and child health, and recently approved the 2024 CONMESS and CONHESS salary structures to motivate our healthcare workers”.
He highlighted that the system was designed to be equitable and inclusive. “This initiative is not for the privileged few. It is for the farmer in Ikara, the trader in Kachia, the student in Giwa, and the child in Kagarko. No one will be left behind”, he assured.
Kaduna’s Commissioner for Health, Umma K. Ahmed, described the flag-off as “a giant leap forward” for the state’s healthcare delivery, emphasizing that the integration of the Rural Emergency Medical and Maternal Transport Services (RESMAT) into KADSEMSAS would extend access to hard-to-reach areas.
“Emergencies often come without warning, but what makes the difference between life and death is the speed and quality of response”, Ahmed said. “With KADSEMSAS, Kaduna State is making a decisive step toward making sure no citizen is left without hope in their most dire situation.”
For the first 48 hours, the program will offer free emergency care, particularly for pregnant women, children, and accident victims, she added.
Governor Sani stressed sustainability, claiming that the government was investing in enhancing health facilities, training health workers, and engaging communities to maintain system effectiveness after launch.
He declared, “This system belongs to you, citizens of our country.” We urge you to report misuse, use it responsibly, and leave feedback. The pursuit of excellence is a continuous process, not a destination.
The Federal Ministry of Health approved the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) in 2024, and Kaduna was accepted at the flag-off. According to officials, Kaduna’s example might serve as a benchmark for other Nigerian states.
Members of the Local Government Service Commission have filed a lawsuit against the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt.
Goodlife Ben, the commission’s chairman, and five others, filed a lawsuit against Ibok-Ete Ibas, the former sole administrator.
The claimants, who had previously been appointed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, requested that the court order their reinstatement and declare their removal unlawful.
However, Kelechi Ubani, their attorney, announced the case’s withdrawal during the session on Thursday, calling it a “painful but necessary decision.”
Ubani testified to the court that Rivers State should have done this in order to advance peace and development.
[UPDATED] Fubara Relieves Commissioners Not Approved By Amaewhule
Justice Frank Onyiri disagreed with the judge’s request to dismiss the case without further delay rather than to strike it out.
Justice Onyiri cited Order 25 Rule 1, which allows the revocation of civil lawsuits, as supporting their contention.
When the lifeless body of a 15-year-old boy, Sunusi Abubakar, was recovered from a nearby pond on Wednesday, tragedy struck Gabari village in the Jigawa Local Government Area, bringing up concerns about child safety around open water bodies in rural areas.
The deceased was discovered in a pond known locally as Mahayin gidan Toro, about 1.5 kilometers north of the village, according to the spokesperson of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), ASC Badaruddeen Tijjani, who confirmed the incident.
In a statement released on Thursday in Dutse, Tijjani stated that “His shoes and trousers were first discovered abandoned on the riverbank on the evening of September 30.” The villagers began a search because of this, which caused them to be concerned right away.
Sunusi had gone swimming in the pond on Tuesday night at 5 p.m. but did not make it back home, according to the boy’s father, Abubakar Gabari. Local authorities and members of the community conducted a search.
READ MORE: One Dead, Seven Injured In the Jigawa Building Collapse
According to Tijjani, “No injuries were discovered on the body, and it has since been given to the family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites,” according to Tijjani.
The NSCDC has used the incident to further calls for public understanding of the risks of swimming in unfenced, natural water bodies, particularly during the dangerous rainy season.
Tijjani remarked, “This is a painful loss.” We urge parents, guardians, and community leaders to give children’s safety precedence and to discourage them from swimming in unsupervised, unsafe water.
The NSCDC State Commandant, Muhammad Ingawa, also urged people to cooperate with security organizations to report and secure hazardous areas.
Ingawa stated that “our goal is to make Jigawa citizens feel more secure.” We ask that all residents be on the lookout, especially during this time of year when accidents are more likely to occur.
In Jigawa and other northern states, where ponds, rivers, and irrigation channels serve as informal swimming areas for kids, drowing incidents have remained a recurring issue. The majority of these water bodies are not monitored or fenced.
Just last month, four teenage girls drowned in a pond in Malkaderi village, Gagarawa LGA, in September 2024, and three teenage girls died in Buji LGA from 12- to 13-year-olds.
These are not isolated incidents, they are not. Local resident Malam Isa Gambo, who calls for a state-wide campaign to educate families and provide safe recreational areas for children, said.
His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR’s Public Private Partnership initiative aims to raise the standards for living conditions and revitalize the infrastructure of Tertiary Institutions in the nation by providing 38,400 world-class student hostel beds spread across 12 universities, 6 polytechnics, and 6 colleges of education.
Each of the 24 hotels will have 1,600 beds, 400 ensuite rooms with study tables and chairs, 4 reading areas, a cafeteria, and restaurants, a laundromat, a grocery store, salons, public toilets, etc., according to the Renewed Hope Student Hostel Project.
Through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Renewed Hope Student Housing Programme, Family Homes Funds Limited (FHFL), in cooperation with the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), and Africa Plus Partners Nigeria Limited, fulfills Mr. President’s pledge to transform student accommodation all over the country.
Africa Plus Partners Nigeria Limited has already completed the University of Calabar pilot project.
The project is currently being implemented in six different locations across the nation, including three in Northern Nigeria (Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, and Zuba, FCT College of Education), and three in Southern Nigeria (Sikiru Adetona College of Education Science and Technology Ogun, Akwa Ibom State University, and Warri College of Education).
Status of Employment at Akwa Ibom State UniversityStatus of Work in a Warrior College of Education
The completion of the College of Education, the Warri hostel, and Akwa Ibom State University are on track to be completed, about halfway done. Students will soon be able to access each 1,600-bed facility, which was constructed to international standards and offers safe, affordable, and contemporary living spaces designed to promote academic excellence. The lack of adequate student housing is one of the most pressing issues facing Nigeria’s higher education system, and this milestone is historic.
Four additional institutions are already demonstrating tangible progress in the program beyond these two sites. Construction is moving at various stages, with each one advancing closer to completion, from the Federal Polytechnic in Bauchi to Sikiru Adetona College of Education Science and Technology Ogun, FCT College of Education, and Ahmadu Bello University. These websites, along with TETFund and Africa Plus Partners, are a reflection of Mr. President and Family Homes Funds Limited’s commitment to ensuring that students everywhere can find decent housing.
Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, FCT College of Education Zuba, and Sikiru Adetona College of Education Science and Technology Ogun, are just a few examples.
FHFL is preparing to begin construction on eight (8) more institutions across the country in addition to the six projects that are currently in progress. With this expansion, the program adds another step toward achieving its goal of creating affordable housing for students nationwide in all six geopolitical zones.
The Renewed Hope Student Housing Programme is yet another innovative, timely, and ambitious intervention from Mr. President, with a student population that exceeds 2.1 million in public tertiary institutions and less than 15% of students having access to on-campus housing. The goal of the program is to create purpose-built hostels that are both affordable and safe.
reducing the strain and dangers of subpar off-campus housing
promoting better academic outcomes.
boosts local economies and creates employment
attract private education investment.
By providing modern, safe, and affordable hostels, Mr. Abdul Mutallab Mukhtar, Managing Director of Family Homes Funds Limited, ensures that students have the right environment to live and learn, while reducing the stress and risks associated with insufficient accommodation. “This upcoming commissioning of the first two locations in Warri and Akwa Ibom are a landmark achievement not just for FHFL but also for Nigeria’s higher education system,” he said.
The Renewed Hope Student Housing Programme is steadily changing the face of campus life in Nigeria as the commissioning for Warri and Akwa Ibom nears completion and progresses nationwide. Families Homes Funds is still committed to providing affordable, safe hostels throughout the six geopolitical zones, ensuring that more students can enjoy studying and living in a supportive environment.
The program rollout schedule is shown below:
Dec. 2025 Commissioning is a long way off.
Warri College of Education
Akwa Ibom State University
Construction is pending (commissioning in September 2026).
Bauchi Federal Polytechnic
Sikiru Adetona College of Technology, Science & Education
Zuba, FCT College of Education
Zaria’s Ahmadu Bello University
Next Phase (Starts Oct 2025, Commissioning Oct 2026)
Nekede Federal Polytechnic
Ebonyi State University
Enugu State University of Science and Technology
Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic is
Lafia Federal University
Makurdi State University is a member of Benue State University.
Barry Andrews, the European Union’s chief observer and a member of the European Parliament, paid Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Chairman, an official visit.  ,  ,
Following the last general election, the follow-up mission will be able to provide updates on how well their recommendations have been implemented.
23 recommendations, with eight specifically directed to INEC, were made by the Mission in July 2023, while the rest were directed at the Executive and the National Assembly.
READ ALSO: A Court Rejects a Tinubu Suit Due to the Emergency Rule in Rivers.
The final report on the 25 February and 18 March 2023 federal and state elections was released by the European Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) on June 27.
The Chief Observer, Barry Andrews, a member of the European Parliament, stated that “Nigerians demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the democratic process in the run-up to the 2023 general elections.” However, the election exposed persistent systemic flaws and calls for more legal and operational reforms to improve accountability, inclusion, and transparency.
The EU EOM made its findings and recommendations following a three-month observation across Nigeria, revealing that inaccuracies in the electoral administration hampered the running of fair and impartial elections and hampered INEC’s trust.
According to Barry Andrews, the Mission is particularly concerned about the priority recommendations for reform in six areas.
The six top recommendations address the need to address: (1) clarify the law; (2) set up a public scrutiny selection process for INEC members; (3) ensure real-time publication and access to election results; (3) increase media protection; address (5) discrimination against women in political life; and (6) impunity regarding electoral crimes.
According to Chief Observer Barry Andrews, political will is necessary to improve Nigerian democracy. It is still important to engage in comprehensive discussion among all parties involved in electoral reform. In implementing these recommendations, the European Union is prepared to support Nigerian stakeholders.
The EU EOM claimed to have completed its work between January 11 and April 11th, 2023, at INEC’s invitation. The EU EOM gathered with a delegation from the European Parliament to observe the presidential and legislative elections.
110 observers from 25 EU member states, as well as Norway, Switzerland, and Canada, were accreditated by the mission.
The Mission made the following 23 recommendations:
1. By removing errors and ambiguities from electoral law and regulations to prevent potential conflicting interpretations, and ensuring that the revision processes are inclusive, protect the interests of voters through certainty of law for all stages and aspects of electoral processes.
2. Implement timely, inclusive consultation to ensure institutional accountability. publication and dissemination of all election-related laws, regulations, and guidelines, and enactment of consolidated official legislation that is available in hard copy and online through the INEC website.
3. Establish a robust operational framework to ensure electoral administration’s independence, integrity, and effectiveness through a transparent and open-door selection process for REC candidates based on rigorous evaluation criteria for merit, qualifications, and verified non-partisanship.
4. Improve the capacity of the electoral staff by updating the electoral staff’s procedures and providing training for the election supervisors, collation officers, and ad-hoc polling staff, focusing on the use of technology, counting, and completing polling unit results and collation forms.
5. By requiring in law the timely release of test and audit results, along with protocols, guidelines, implementation methodology, procurement, and functionality details, to ensure transparency and permit public scrutiny of election technology,
6. Protect the right to free speech and the integrity of elections. by creating a results processing system that is robust, transparent, and quickly vérifiable a clear system of regulations. These include uploading polling unit results directly from the polling unit, and in real time, at each level of collation results. to be published in a database format that is both easily accessible and scrappable, and all forms to be uploaded in real time.
7. Give citizens the opportunity to register during the previous registration period if they are 18 years old before the elections.
8. Establish a trustworthy foundation for an accurate and inclusive voter register by conducting an immediate external independent audit, including in person, to establish a reliable foundation. data quality assessment, sample analysis, and biometric data quality assessment. The . implementation of a clear protocol and guidelines for the process to be followed The register should be kept up and held accountable in the public.
9. By limiting charging, remove unreasonable limitations on the right to stand. of excessive fees when a candidate is asked to run in party primary elections.
10. By creating a robust and effective campaign organization, enforce INEC’s campaign regulations. monitoring and a sanctioning system to stop state-level authorities from obstructing and interfering with their use of incumbency.
11. By establishing strict accounting standards, reporting, and public disclosure requirements for political parties, candidates, and third parties, the campaign finance industry is required to operate pre-agreed dedicated bank accounts for donations, revenues, and spending, with strong sanctions for noncompliance.
12. By creating a comprehensive operational framework that is supported by the tools and resources to prompt investigation and prosecution of all forms of attacks against media practitioners, ensure adequate protection of the right to freedom of expression.
13. Protect the National Broadcasting Commission’s legal and practical independence by upholding its right to freedom of expression and transparency. This could be accomplished by introducing a cross-party approval mechanism, industry professionals’ participation, and/or establishing strict institutional standards for transparency and accountability. This could also be accomplished by introducing an open, inclusive, and competitive system.
14. Transforming the NTA and FRCN into reputable public service broadcasters will help protect pluralism and freedom of expression. This includes provisions for editorial independence, financial autonomy, clear separation from any government institution, and a transparent and competitive management selection process with cross-party review and/or industry professionals’ participation.
15. Amendment overly restrictive legislative provisions that limit this right in the media and online, including the ambiguous definitions of “cyberstalking” in the 2015 Cybercrimes Act and of “classified matters” in the Official Secrets Act, to keep things up with international and regional standards for freedom of expression.
16. To identify, assess, and reduce harmful content while protecting freedom of expression, promote the independent formation of voters’ opinions and reduce manipulative interference through legislative or regulatory measures developed in an inclusive process involving all key stakeholders, including civil society experts.
17. Take urgent and robust affirmative steps to ensure meaningful representation of women through special measures in accordance with the Beijing Declaration. principles and the National Gender Policy to increase women’s representation in elected office and as candidates, which are further supported by cross-sectoral, increased, and sustained capacity building and awareness of discrimination.
18. Ensure that people with disabilities and the vulnerable have a legitimate opportunity to cast ballots in all election categories, including those who have disabilities and are vulnerable, through a conducive voting environment that allows for independent voting and respect for voter privacy, as well as having sufficient assistive devices.
19. Improve voter access to the right to vote in internally displaced voters by establishing a precise, timely operation plan that includes detailed data on important voter data, specified temporary special measures, polling location, and security. arrangements, targeted voter education, and early postelection evaluation publication.
20. By ensuring electoral authorities’ public accountability, law gives reporters and observers full access to all election-related stages. electoral data, supported by prompt, transparent accreditation procedures, and targeted sanctions for obstructing, intimidating, or using violence.
21. By modifying legal procedures, providing additional resources for adjudication, and consistently and concisely detailing and publishing decisions in a timely manner, including online, to improve voter and candidate certainty, by completing pre-election disputes well in advance of election day, and by advancing election day.
22. By effective interagency coordination that is governed by strict non-partisanship, the use of best resources, effective investigation and sanctioning, and regular public access to consolidated information on outcomes, it can be reduced.
