Category Nigeria News

The police in Anambra State have launched an investigation into the killing of four people by gunmen during a funeral at Ezi Village, Ogidi, in the Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.

The gunmen reportedly stormed the ceremony on Thursday and opened fire on some of the guests, killing four and leaving at least 15 with varying degrees of injury.

The Police Public Relations Office, Tochukwu Ikenga, on Friday, confirmed the incident, which he said was related to cultism.

READ ALSO: Police Arrest Traditional Ruler For Attempted Murder Of Sibling

Ikenga said that officers from Ogidi Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, responded swiftly to a distress call and subsequently restored order at the scene.

He stated that while the victims had been evacuated for medical treatment, further developments would be communicated in due course.

The PPRO, in a statement, said, “In the course of the operation, 16 (sixteen) expended cartridges were recovered as exhibits. The Command has since launched a discreet investigation to identify, trace, and arrest the perpetrators, as preliminary findings suggest that the incident is connected to a clash between rival cult groups.

“The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has strongly condemned the incident and assures residents that the Command remains resolute in its commitment to rid the state of cult-related violence and other criminal activities.

“The Command urges members of the public to remain calm, security-conscious, and to continue to provide useful information by reporting suspicious movements or persons to the nearest Police formation.”

The incident came two months after gunment killed 13 people, alleged to be indigenes of Ebonyi State, in Ogboji community, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra in July.

They were reportedly killed during their monthly town union meeting.

The Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, had condemned the killing and called for calm and a swift investigation into the matter.

In statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Monday Uzor and obtained by Channels Television, Nwifuru described the killing of the indigenes residing in Ogboji community as shocking.

But the Anambra State Government, while condemning the incident, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, said it was “not targeted at any particular state or ethnic group”.

It also stated that it would do everything humanly possible to ensure justice.

The Ogun State Government has appointed 1,200 political assistants to serve as change agents and enhance civic engagement across the state.

The governor in a statement issued in Abeokuta by his special Adviser on media and strategy, Kayode Akinmade, says this is in fulfillment of his commitment towards deepening democratic participation and broaden access to dividends of democracy

Akinmade also described the move as a strategic effort to strengthen democratic governance across all nooks and crannies of the state.

READ ALSO: [New Awujale] Abiodun Urges Kingmakers To Ensure Level Playing Ground For Contestants

“The assistants — five from each of the 236 wards in Ogun State — will ensure greater local participation in governance, effectively bridging the gap between the grassroots and the state government” he said

“The newly appointed political assistants are to support the delivery of democratic dividends, articulate the needs of their respective wards, and communicate these needs to the state government.

“They are also expected to provide accurate feedback from the government to the wards and vice versa”.

READ ALSO: NCAA Grants Aerodrome Operational Permit To Gateway Airport

The Special Adviser emphasized that this initiative fulfills Governor Abiodun’s electoral promise to carry every ward along in his administration’s development programs and to run an all-inclusive government that values the people’s inputs in shaping policies and initiatives.

The Bauchi State Civil Service Commission has sacked Emos Joshua, a Principal Assistant Education Officer at Government College, Azare, for alleged sexual harassment.

The Commission said the officer’s action amounted to serious misconduct in violation of Rules 0327 (xxviii and xxix) of the Bauchi State Public Service Rules.

In a statement on Thursday, the spokesperson of the commission, Saleh Umar, said the decision was reached during its 32nd plenary session held on September 11, 2025.

“The disciplinary action was taken against the officer after general disciplinary procedures had been exhausted as contained in Rules 0317 of the Public Service Rules and Regulations,” the statement read.

READ ALSO: NUPENG Threatens To Resume Strike, Accuses Dangote Refinery Of Breaching Agreement

During the sitting, Umar said the commission also elevated two Deputy Directors in acting capacity to the rank of Directors of Physical Planning and Development Control on grade level 16.

“Similarly, a Chief Physical Planning Officer was moved to acting capacity as Deputy Director of Physical Planning on grade level 15,” he stated.

In the same vein, 80 Nursing Officers and Nursing Superintendents were promoted to their next grades, ranging from levels 10 to 14.

The spokesperson said the decisions were based on submissions from the Bauchi State Special School Management Board, the State Public Procurement and Physical Development Board, and the Health Management Board.

Commenting on the dismissal, the Chairman of the commission, Ibrahim Muhammad, confirmed that due process was strictly followed in line with established regulations.

He stressed that the decision was not punitive but necessary to uphold discipline and integrity within the service.

The Delta State Government has announced a review of its dress code for public servants, citing the need to uphold decency and curb the growing trend of improper dressing in the state’s public service.

In a statement shared on its official X handle on Thursday, the government explained that the step was taken to reinforce discipline and decorum among officers.

According to the statement, senior public servants are expected to lead by example in projecting a culture of proper dressing, with sanctions to be applied under Public Service Rule No. 04314 against any officer who appears in inappropriate or immodest attire.

For male officers, the circular stipulates that all staff on Grade Level 13 and above must appear in complete suits, except for uniformed officers. Those on Grade Levels 07 to 12 are required to dress in suits or trousers with shirts and ties, while Administrative Officers must always be in suits.

READ ALSO: Abia Govt Sacks Six Civil Servants Over Fraud

Staff on Grade Levels 01 to 06 are also expected to comply, except drivers and plant operators who should appear in uniforms or trousers and shirts.

Traditional attire, including senator suits, caftans, or native shirts with trousers and caps, will only be allowed on Fridays and special occasions.

However, resource control and papas caps are banned, while bushy beards are prohibited.

Female officers on Grade Level 13 and above are required to appear in trouser suits, skirt suits, or corporate gowns below the knee, with trousers permitted only as part of suits. Those on Grade Levels 07 to 12 may also wear gowns below the knee with sleeves, or skirts with blouses.

Female staff on Grade Levels 01 to 06 are expected to follow similar standards. Traditional outfits such as buba and wrapper, African print gowns, and other cultural attire are allowed only on Fridays and special occasions, provided they include proper sleeves.

The directive also prohibits sleeveless or spaghetti-strap dresses, provocative exposure of cleavages, braided or tinted hair, long eyelashes, and artificial nails among female officers.

Heads of Departments have been directed to enforce strict adherence to the revised dress code. The circular warns that any officer found in violation may be sent home to change or face stiffer sanctions.

Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments are also mandated to ensure wide publicity and compliance across ministries and agencies.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has set aside the ruling of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, and allowed the appeal filed by First Bank of Nigeria against General Hydrocarbons Limited (GHL).

This came with an order authorising the sale of the crude oil aboard FPSO Tamaru Tokoni, with proceeds to be paid into an interest-high-yielding escrow account and warehoused by the chief registrar of the court, pending the hearing and determination of the case at the trial court or the court of arbitration.

Justice Polycarp Kwahar, who read the lead judgment, also appointed the chief registrar of the Court of Appeal to take charge and possession of the crude oil cargo and to protect the same against dissipation or unauthorised disposition by any party, pending the hearing and the determination of the case of the trial court of arbitration.

Earlier this year, Justice Emmanuel Obile of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, had dismissed First Bank’s suit, which alleged fraudulent subversion of proceeds of sale from the oil cargo, which it said GHL had pleaded as security for a deal.

The judge upheld the preliminary objection filed by GHL and held that the dispute was not a maritime claim but a debt recovery.

GHL Denies Owing $225.8m

First Bank had alleged that GHL owed it $225.8 million in debt.

GHL has, however, denied the claim.

It had also accused the FBN of abusing an ex parte freezing order when it selectively released part of the crude in the FPSO to Conoil and the NNPC.

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chille Igbawua, has described the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s recognition of David Mark’s leadership as a “vindication for the rule of law.”

He said this during an interview on Thursday’s edition of Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme.

“It is a vindication for the law, a vindication for the rule of law. Of course, INEC has done what the law requires it to do.

“It’s a great milestone because, even though we knew internally it was just a procedural matter, other camps tried to make political capital out of it as if it were something serious.

“The ADC has met INEC’s requirements, and INEC has now put its stamp of recognition on the National Working Committee and NEC as constituted in the last meeting,” Igbawua said.

He argued that the decision stabilises the opposition and might not please President Bola Tinubu.

“We are happy INEC chose legality over impunity in this matter,” he added.

READ ALSO: ADC: Those Against David Mark’s Leadership Should Go To Court — Bolaji Abdullahi

Asked about the fate of party founder Ralph Nwosu, Igbawua said Nwosu had accepted being an ordinary member.

According to him, the ADC founder supported the rebranding of the party and remained satisfied with its growth.

On Wednesday, INEC officially recognised the leadership of the ADC led by David Mark.

It displayed the confirmation on its website after the party’s internal restructuring and appointment of new national officers.

Mark, a former Senate President, emerged as interim chairman. Former Osun governor Rauf Aregbesola was named National Secretary.

Other principal officers include ex-Edo governor Oserheimen Osunbor as Legal Adviser, Ibrahim Mani as Treasurer, and Akibu Dalhatu as Financial Secretary.

ADC’s ‘Priority’

Meanwhile, Igbawua says that ADC’s priority is not unseating President Tinubu but addressing mismanagement in governance.

“People overhype the idea of removing Tinubu. The coalition focuses on how the country is being run,” he said on the morning show.

The ADC chieftain believes Nigerians expect the opposition to provide credible alternatives to poor governance.

Igbawua also highlighted the need for transparency in the 2027 elections.

He said Nigerians are still concerned about electoral flaws that marred the 2023 general polls.

Coalition

The ADC formally adopted the opposition coalition’s platform on 2 July 2025.

At the unveiling, Mark said the coalition’s mission was to “rescue and rebuild Nigeria” and return power to the people.

The former senate president accused the APC-led government of hijacking democratic institutions and pushing Nigeria towards “civilian dictatorship.”

Mark warned that infiltrators are targeting opposition parties to pave the way for a one-party state.

The coalition includes Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and several other prominent political figures.

Nwosu formally handed over the party to Mark and Aregbesola at the unveiling.

Following the development, ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, rejected the coalition, calling its members “enemies of Nigeria.”

Kachikwu accused them of recycling failed leaders and dragging the nation backward.