Author: Helen Okechukwu

The Federal Government (FG) has announced Thursday, 19 March, and Friday, 20 March, 2026, as public holidays in observance of Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the end of the Ramadan fast. Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, disclosed this on behalf of the government, congratulating Muslim faithful on the successful completion of the holy month. In a statement released on Tuesday, the Minister urged adherents of Islam to continue embracing the values of love, generosity, peace, tolerance and sacrifice practised during Ramadan. He also called on Nigerians to use the occasion to offer prayers…

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed renewed anxiety over the security of students in the North-East after a series of coordinated explosions struck Maiduguri, leaving dozens dead and many others injured. Reacting to the incident, the NANS Zone E (North-East) Coordinator, Muazu Hina, said the development highlights the fragile security situation in the region and the risks faced daily by students pursuing their education. The attacks, which occurred on Monday night, targeted crowded locations including the popular Monday Market, the Post Office area, and a location close to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. The near-simultaneous nature…

No fewer than 23 persons have been confirmed dead, while 108 others sustained varying degrees of injuries following a series of coordinated improvised explosive device (IED) explosions in Maiduguri. The incidents, which occurred at about 7:24 p.m. on Monday, targeted three busy locations, the Maiduguri Monday Market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), and the Post Office Flyover area. According to a press statement issued by the Borno State Police Command spokesperson, Nahum Daso preliminary investigations indicate that the attacks were carried out by suspected suicide bombers. Emergency responders, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)…

Authorities at the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC) in Kontagora, Niger State, have opened an investigation into an alleged case of child abuse involving a seven-year-old girl within the Kontagora Military Cantonment. According to the statement shared on Thursday via their Facebook page, it indicated that the incident reportedly occurred on 4 March 2026, when a soldier residing near the apartment where the child lived was said to have heard persistent cries coming from the residence. Concerned by the situation, he reportedly gained access to the apartment, where the young girl was allegedly being physically assaulted. According to preliminary accounts,…

By Clement Abayomi The All Progressives Congress (APC) has ordered the swearing-in of its newly elected leaders across Nigeria. Mr. Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, discloses this on Tuesday during the inauguration order, the statement noted. “The All Progressives Congress (APC) hereby directs that the Ward, Local Government and State Executive Committees duly elected at the 2026 Congresses of the Party be sworn in inaugurated . . . in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Party’s Constitution,” the statement read. According to the order, it indicated that the development applies to all leaders chosen during the 2026…

By Ridwanullah Sakariyah The former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has filed a N1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over the search of his Abuja residence. The suit followed a raid carried out by ICPC officials at his home. The agency said the operation formed part of an ongoing investigation linked to alleged surveillance equipment. El-Rufai, through his team of lawyers led by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Oluwole Iyamu, asked the court to declare the search warrant used for the operation invalid, null, and void. Details revealed…

The Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board has stepped up efforts to reduce pregnancy-related deaths with the inauguration of a specialised committee to review and respond to maternal and child mortality cases across the state. The State Sub-Committee on Primary Health Care Maternal, Perinatal and Child Death Surveillance and Response (PHC-MPCDSR) was inaugurated recently as part of a broader strategy to strengthen accountability and improve health outcomes for women and children. The meeting was chaired by the Board’s Executive Secretary, Dr Chituru Adele, the committee draws members from key institutions, including the National Population Commission, the National Primary Health…

The Rivers State Government has stepped up efforts to strengthen its healthcare system through large-scale recruitment and career advancement for medical personnel across the state. Governor Siminalayi Fubara announced that thousands of health professionals have been employed to bridge manpower gaps and improve service delivery in public health facilities. He said the move is part of a broader strategy to ensure residents receive timely and quality medical care. Speaking at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the governor explained that the recruitment drive covers doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other essential healthcare workers needed at primary, secondary and tertiary…

The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the killing of a man in Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state, announcing the arrest of three suspects in connection with the incident while investigations continue. This incident was confirmed by the Command spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko on Monday. The confirmation followed the interception of the suspects by the Youth and Joint Task Force, supported by soldiers guarding critical facilities, as they allegedly attempted to dump the corpse of the deceased in Ukpeliede community on Sunday. Those arrested are identified as the Vigilante Vice Chairman of Okogbe community, Joshua, a vigilante member,…

The Federal Government (FG) has issued a stern warning to electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) and licensed meter service providers, declaring that any firm found charging consumers for meter installation will face prosecution. The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, gave the directive while unveiling plans by the government to deploy millions of smart electricity meters nationwide under a World Bank–supported initiative aimed at ending estimated billing and protecting consumers. According to the minister, the Federal Government has concluded arrangements to import about 3.4 million smart meters, out of which one million units are expected to be installed in the first…