The Kano State government said it has uncovered an anomaly in the March salary payroll system and leading to the recovery of over N28m paid to 247 dead or retired workers.According to the statement, “In a decisive move towards cleansing the State Payroll, the Kano State Government, under the leadership of Governor Abba Yusuf, has recorded a major milestone in its ongoing efforts to reform the salary administration system within the State civil service.

“As part of the reform process, a Pay Parade Committee has been established and will commence its operations shortly. In preparation for the full implementation of its mandate, the Committee deemed it necessary to involve all stakeholders. Consequently, the Committee printed the March 2025 payroll vouchers and requested all Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs) and Local Government Councils to study the Payrolls and make necessary observations as a prelude to a comprehensive Pay Parade scheduled to be flagged off on Monday the 28th of April. Arising from the validation exercise, a disturbing irregularity was uncovered within the payroll system of Local Government Councils. The findings revealed that 247 individuals have either retired from service or dead yet, yet have been appearing in the payroll and their salaries are running. These fraudulent salary payments amount to the sum of ₦27,824,395.40 for March 2025 alone.

“In a prompt and effective response, and while further due diligence is being conducted to determine the extent of this apparent fraud and the perpetrators, the amount has been recovered and returned to the Local Government Treasury.

“This significant recovery underscores the administration’s unwavering dedication to entrenching governance, transparency, and responsible management of public resources,” the statement however, reads.The government, through a committee, a pay parade committee established in the state, uncovered the anomaly following a validation exercise on the March salary payroll system.In a statement by the Press Secretary to the Secretary to the Kano State Government (SSG), Musa Tanko Muhammad, said the disturbing irregularity was uncovered within the payroll system of Local Government Councils which the findings revealed that 247 individuals have either retired from service or dead, yet have been appearing in the payroll and their salaries running.

The Government, however, assured of its commitment to purging the payroll system of irregularities, while the individuals found to be involved in the fraudulent activity will be identified and held fully accountable in accordance with the law.

The Federal Road Safety Corps has redeployed two assistant corps marshals, and 24 corps commanders to key departments and corps offices to boost its operations.The FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, said this in a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide, on Saturday in Abuja.

Mr Mohammed said that the redeployment became necessary towards creating a safer motoring environment.

He said that it was also part of an initiative targeted at ensuring full realisation of the corporate strategic goals of the corps for the year.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation had earlier approved the appointment of senior officers, Deputy Corps Marshal (DCM) Aliyu Datsama, DCM Pauline Olaye and DCM Ahmed Hassan.

Mr Mohammed, “In addition to the above, we approved the redeployment of ACM Dr Godwin Omiko, the erstwhile ACM Motor Vehicle Administration Department. Omiko is to head the Project Implementation Office, as ACM in charge of Corps Safety Engineering Office while ACM Emmanuel Dung is to resume duty as ACM Motor Vehicle Administration at the national headquarters. In the same vein, Ekiti, Plateau, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Kano, Minna, Kogi, Bayelsa, Taraba, Jigawa, Osun, Imo and Zamfara states all got new sector commanders.’’

The FRSC corps marshal also appointed for the first time in the history of the corps, a female Corps Commander, Ann Oladayo-Odeleye, as Zonal Commanding Officer RS Zone 2 Lagos in acting capacity.

Mr Mohammed said that the new zonal commanding officer would be covering the general operation area of Lagos and Ogun states respectively.

He expressed confidence in the capacity and experiences of the newly redeployed senior officers to deliver on their mandate, urging them to bring in their professional expertise for impactful leadership.

“The redeployment is with immediate effect,” he said.

President Donald Trump appeared to have deported a 2-year-old U.S. citizen with ‘no meaningful process,’ a federal judge in Louisiana has said. The child known in court papers only as V.M.L was being sent out to Honduras with her mother, against the wishes of her father, according to the New York Times.

On Tuesday, the girl accompanied her mother, Jenny Villela, and her older sister, Valeria, to an immigration appointment in New Orleans when they were taken into custody by officials of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to a court paper.

Ms Villela was scheduled for an expedited removal from the country on Friday.

In a filling to Judge Terry A Doughty, lawyers for the Justice Department claimed that she “made known to ICE officials that she wanted to retain custody of V.M.L. and for V.M.L. to go” with her to Honduras.

But in a petition filed by the child’s custodian, Trish Mack, on Thursday, her father claimed that when he spoke briefly with Ms Villela, he could hear her and the children crying.

The father reminded her, the petition indicated, that “their daughter was a U.S. citizen and could not be deported.”

The U.S. Judge Terry A. Doughty described the move by Mr Trump’s administration as illegal and unconstitutional.

“It is illegal and unconstitutional to deport, detain for deportation, or recommend deportation of a U.S. citizen,” Mr Doughty, a conservative Trump appointee, said.

He added, “The government contends that this is all ok because the mother wishes that the child be deported with her, but the court doesn’t know that.”

Mr Doughty has set a hearing for May 16 to explore his “strong suspicion that the government just deported a U.S. citizen with no meaningful process.”

The case of V.M.L is the latest challenge to the legality of several aspects of Mr Trump’s aggressive deportation efforts.

The Trump administration has been blocked by seven federal judges across the country from removing Venezuela migrants accused of being gang members to El Salvador under a rarely invoked wartime statute.

The American Civil Liberties Union also described the V.M. L’s case was shocking and an abuse of power by Mr Trump’s administration.

It stated, “These actions stand in direct violation of ICE’s own written and informal directives, which mandate coordination for the care of minor children with willing caretakers – regardless of immigration status – when deportations are being carried out.’’

Last month, Mr Trump, whose campaign focused on immigration, said he wanted to deport some violent criminals who are U.S. citizens to El Salvador prisons.

The Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has concluded plans to assess abattoirs, veterinary clinics and farm infrastructure across the territory.The Mandate Secretary, Abdullahi Ango, disclosed this in Abuja on Friday, after a week-long meeting with directors, heads of projects and specialised units.

Mr Ango also said that the facility tours across the area councils would provide the needed platform to engage with farmers, stakeholders and development partners.

This, according to him, will fast-track implementation of agricultural programmes in the FCT.

Mr Ango, who was deployed to the secretariat from the Youths Development Secretariat, also said that efforts were ongoing to ensure that farmers received seeds, fertilisers, and other equipment before the rainy season.

He emphasised the need to equip agricultural extension agents with tools and training, as well as boosting public-private partnerships to attract agribusiness investments in the FCT.

He called on the members of staff to rededicate themselves to service to humanity and particularly FCT residents.

He stressed the need for teamwork and efficiency to achieve the secretariat’s mandate.

“We cannot afford delays. Our farmers are waiting, and the nation is counting on us to boost food security. I expect every staff member to bring their best to the table because the work ahead demands urgency, dedication, and innovation. We must all shape up and align with the vision of the Nyesom Wike-led FCT Administration as well as the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud. The “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Tinubu must reflect in our agricultural programmes,” Mr Ango said.

The Abia State Government said it has revoked the land title and taken steps to reclaim the assets of the Enyimba Automated Shoe Company (ENASCO) in Aba, Abia’s commercial hub.
Abia revokes land title, takes over state-funded shoe factory
Mr Ukoha further stated that ENASCO’s financial performance showed a consistent decline in revenue

News Agency of Nigeria • April 26, 2025
Abia state governor, Alex Otti
Abia state governor, Alex Otti
The Abia State Government said it has revoked the land title and taken steps to reclaim the assets of the Enyimba Automated Shoe Company (ENASCO) in Aba, Abia’s commercial hub.

Ukoha Njoku, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Alex Otti, made the disclosure in a statement to journalists in Umuahia on Friday.

Mr Ukoha stated that the decision to revoke the land title “followed a comprehensive regulatory, financial and operational review undertaken by reputable Big Four professional service firms.”

He further stated that the firms “unravelled significant discrepancies and corporate governance-related issues within ENASCO. ENASCO was established in 2020, under the administration of ex-Governor Okezie Ikpeazu with equipment imported from Turkey and had a projected annual production capacity of two million pairs of shoes. The goal was to elevate the state’s leather industry by producing high-quality footwear for the local and international market. The Abia State Government (ABSG) contributed significantly to the company’s assets, including land, buildings, and equipment.’’

According to him, the state government contributed money estimated at over N158 million in assets and cash contributions of about N41.9 million to the shoe factory.

“These contributions from public resources represented over 70 per cent of the cash and assets contributed to the business to date,” he added.

Mr Ukoha, however, noted that although ABSG had the highest shares in ENASCO, “its shareholding structure at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), as of November 2024, did not reflect Abia as a shareholder or beneficial owner.”

He argued that changes were made to the shareholding structure in July 2023, shortly after Mr Otti took office, yet ABSG was still not mentioned as a shareholder in any CAC document.

Mr Ukoha stated: “The shareholders on the CAC record as of April 3 are Nwakile John Chidi, Udeagbala John Chinyelu, Nwaogu Chinenye, Sam Hart and Macauley Atasie. Five of them had 445,900 shares, 219,600 shares, 111,500 shares, 111,500 shares, and 111,500 shares, respectively. This demonstrated a clear intention to covet and misappropriate government investment and assets.’’

Mr Ukoha further stated that ENASCO’s financial performance showed a consistent decline in revenue and significant retained losses, amounting to N115.7 million as of October 2024.

He explained that the company also relied heavily on deposits for shares to fund its operations, which grew to N88.9 million within the period under review.

“There is sufficient evidence of lack of a Corporate Governance Framework, Board Charter, statutory audits, and compliance with tax obligations in ENASCO’s management,” he stated.

He further noted clear evidence of the utilisation of funds, amounting to N97,7 million from shareholders’ deposits, without proper documentation or validation of expenses.

Mr Ukoha argued that “in the light of the aforementioned issues, the ABSG convened an all-stakeholders’ meeting on April 23 to address the concerns highlighted in the report. The primary focus was the lack of ABSG representation in ENASCO’s shareholding and on the Board of Directors, despite the huge contribution of public funds and assets to ENASCO. Unfortunately, the meeting ended with the acclaimed existing shareholders resisting to restructure the company’s shareholding to reflect ABSG’s contributions. They also refused to accept the appointment of directors to represent ABSG’s interest on the board.’’

He contended that the posture of the alleged shareholders was not only untenable but ridiculous.

He stated that it was “unacceptable that despite the overwhelming financial and asset contributions made by ABSG to the company, the state does not hold a single share in ENASCO.’’

He added that the government’s action toward reclaiming the company was to ensure accountability and protect public interest.

Mr Ukoha explained that, in addition to what has been done, the government had decided to take legal actions to recover any additional funds or assets misappropriated by ENASCO’S management.

“The ABSG is committed to ensuring transparency, accountability, good and corporate governance in the management of public assets held under its custody in trust. The irregularities observed and shareholders unwillingness to remediate ABSG’s concerns had resulted in the government taking the necessary steps to revoke the land title to reclaim the state’s assets and resources,” Mr Ukoha added.

He further stated that the state acted to protect the interest of its citizens, and that the government would continue to create a conducive environment for businesses and genuine investors to thrive.

He stated that his emergence as the traditional ruler of the community wasn’t a surprise to him, as he has always been a man of the people and a community leader; adding that his reign will bring back peace and usher in disruptive development to the community.

Igwe Nevobasi also thanked Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for his vision and commitment to rural development, as well as dedication to the welfare of the people.

In his remarks, the new monarch, Igwe Aloysius Chidozie Ogbonna, thanked God for His mercy, kindness, and love. He stated that his leadership will be a service to the community and humanity.He added that with the support provided by the community so far since he emerged as the Igwe-elect, his leadership will bring development to the community.

Deacon Ogbodo also enjoined the new traditional ruler to always be law-abiding and act on the principles of law that brought him to office, as he is not just a leader but also the eye of the State Government.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Awgu Council of Traditional Rulers and also the traditional ruler of Ezinesi Mmaku, His Royal Highness, Igwe Mmadụabuchi Nevobasi, congratulated Igwe Aloysius Chidozie Ogbonna, whom he described as a brother and childhood friend.Following the presentation, Chief Okolie further charged the new Igwe to see himself as a bridge between the ancestors and the present generation, emphasizing that leadership in Ntu-egbenese goes beyond titles and influence but rests heavily on sacrificial service, fairness, and a deep commitment to the collective interest of the people.

According to Chief Okolie, “This Ọfọ that I am giving to you on behalf of Ogugu and entire ntuegbenese clan is not just a staff; it is the voice of our fathers.It demands that you must never lie, never oppress, and never forget that your power is for the service of the people, not for

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside over the solemn requiem mass of Pope Francis.

This was disclosed by the Vatican in the early hours of Saturday.From the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, is set to preside at the Solemn Requiem Mass for Pope Francis,” it said.

It also disclosed that there would be a live broadcast of the liturgy on Facebook, YouTube channel, and other feeds.

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at the age of 88 after suffering from stroke, coma, and a heart failure.The late Pope will be buried on Saturday at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in the Pauline Chapel.

Pauline Chapel houses the ancient icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani.

The decision to bury Pope Francis there followed his request in his Spiritual Testament.The late Catholic pontiff has been in and out of hospital since February 14.

The Nigerian Army has disowned a recruitment advertisement circulating online, warning that it is fake.

In a statement on Saturday, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Appolonia Anele, clarified that the advertisement, which claims the army is recruiting for the Direct Short Service Commission and Short Service Commission, did not originate from the military.

Anele emphasised that no recruitment or commissioning exercise for DSSC or SSC has commenced for the year.

She urged the public to disregard the false notice and rely only on official army communication channels for credible information.Anele said the public would be duly informed through official channels whenever such recruitment exercises were scheduled to begin.

“The Nigerian Army warns all to be cautious and avoid falling prey to fraudsters who exploit such fake information to deceive and defraud unsuspecting individuals.

“Anyone with information about such fraudulent activities or individuals should promptly report to the appropriate authorities for necessary action,” Anele said.

Eight suspects have been arrested by the police in connection with the abduction and killing of a six-year-old boy, Muhammad Bulama, in Bura-Bunga village, Bajude District of Kwami Local Government Area of Gombe State.

The suspects include two native doctors, Idris Dayyabu and Abdulrauf Hussaini, who allegedly asked for human parts to perform money rituals for others.

Gombe State Police Public Relations Officer, Buhari Abdullahi, named the other suspects as Magaji Adamu (Wazam), Babayo Musa, Jibrin Muhammad (Ya’Haji), Usman Khalla, Sadam Umaru, and Isiyaku Muhammad.

According to Abdullahi, the suspects were arrested following a thorough investigation and have confessed to killing Bulama for money rituals.

“Magaji Adamu confessed to having received the victim from Babayo Musa and slaughtered him with a knife in the bush area of Wuro-Doya, then further divided the body into two equal parts and dumped the upper half (from the waist upwards) into a well,” Abdullahi said.

He also stated that Musa confessed to abducting the victim at his grandfather’s house at about 5:30 p.m. and aiding the killing at Bura-Bunga village together with Adamu.

“Jibrin Muhammad (Ya’Haji) and Usman Abubakar were arrested in Gombe town at London Mai Doruwa. They confessed to having collected the lower part of the victim’s body from Magaji

Adamu and an accomplice identified as Gimba, who is currently at large,” the police added.

The PPRO added that Umaru played a conspiratorial role by providing information on how to locate a native doctor and facilitated the procurement of human parts.

The police in Ebonyi State have evacuated the corpses of a man and his son at Ebebe Junction area of Abakaliki metropolis.

The state police spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, said that the evacuation was carried out on Friday.

Mr Ukandu, however, said that the command had yet to get the full details of what led to the death of Light Nwodor, and his son, Miracle.

He said, “When I was called by an individual about the incident, I quickly called the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area. They swung into action and the dead bodies have been evacuated. The police have launched an investigation into the matter. The command will definitely inform the general public on completion of investigation. Right now, nobody knows what caused their deaths.’’

Mr Ukandu also said he had not been briefed by the DPO on any arrest made.

There were claims that the victims died following consumption of food prepared by an unknown female said to be on the run.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is among the world leaders converging at the Vatican’s St Peter’s Square in Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis.

According to the UN spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, Mr Guterres left New York on Thursday for the burial.

Mr Dujarric said the secretary-general signed the Book of Condolences for the Pope at the Observer Mission of the Holy See before departing for Rome.

“On Tuesday, the UN flag will fly at half-mast to honour the passing of the late Pontiff,’’ he said.

Also, U.S. President Donald Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei are in Rome on Friday, the last day the Pope will lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica.

This is prior to when his coffin is sealed in the evening in preparation for his funeral on Saturday.

The Vatican said 130 delegations are confirmed to attend the funeral, including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning sovereigns.

Tens of thousands of mourners have waited hours in line to bid farewell to Francis, who died on Monday after suffering a stroke at the age of 88.

By Friday morning, more than 128,000 people had filed past Pope Francis’ open coffin placed in front of the Basilica’s main altar to pay their respects.

Mourners filed past at times praying, at times holding smart phones aloft amidst instructions not to take photo of the late pontiff laid out in red robes, a bishop’s pointed miter and a rosary entwined in his hands.

St. Peter’s Basilica remained open most of the second night, closing for just a few hours. Mourners began arriving before dawn, and sprinted into the piazza when security reopened the flows.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell will preside over the closing and sealing of the coffin in his role of camerlengo, or interim Vatican administrator.

A white cloth will be placed over the Pope’s face, and a bag containing coins minted during his papacy will be put in the coffin along with a one-page written account of his papacy.

The work of the conclave to choose a new Pope won’t start until at least May 5, after nine days of public mourning.

Cardinals have started arriving in Rome, while 113 met Thursday morning to discuss church business.

They will meet again on Friday before taking a break for the weekend.

NAPTIP Receives 231 Nigerians, Including Suspected Traffickers, Repatriated from Ghana

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on Thursday evening welcomed 231 Nigerians repatriated from Ghana, including 27 individuals identified as suspected traffickers.

The returnees, handed over to NAPTIP and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) by the Government of Ghana through the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), arrived in Nigeria following a significant crackdown on a human trafficking and cybercrime syndicate operating from a gated estate in Ghana.

Among the returnees, four women were believed to be victims of trafficking, while the remaining individuals were young Nigerian men, some of whom had reportedly spent years in captivity, allegedly used for cyber fraud by the syndicate.

At the handover ceremony at NAPTIP’s office in Ikeja, EOCO official Dominic Mensah explained that the operation, dubbed “Operation Rescue Shield,” was launched after a tip-off regarding illegal activities in 26 houses within a single estate in Ghana.

According to EOCO’s staff of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, Staff Officer Dominic Meza, “We received a complaint on March 28th from an informant alleging that a group of Nigerians were using young people for cybercrime. Surveillance was carried out, and we launched the operation at 3:30 a.m. one week ago with support from national security and police services. A total of 233 persons were initially arrested.”

Meza added that the victims had been lured to Ghana under the pretext of getting jobs but ended up being trapped and forced into cybercrime. Many had spent between a few weeks and several years in the facility.

The Coroner, Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi, sitting at the Magistrates’ Court, Ikorodu, said the date to deliver the final decision will be communicated to all parties concerned.

This is as the coroner also heard more evidence from the last witness, a forensic pathologist, Dr. Uwom Eze, who conducted the second autopsy and medical review on Mohbad on Friday.

During the cross-examination of the witness conducted by a counsel representing one of the interested parties in the inquest, the African Women Lawyers Association, Abiodun Kolawole, Eze said the deceased was found during the medical examination not to be indulging in hard drugs or drug abuse, as alleged.

The witness said he discovered Mohbad was given “regulated” doses of antihistamine, a drug given to treat an allergy, and analgesics, or a painkiller, which clearly showed he was in pain at the time of death.

But, he said he couldn’t determine the manner an injection was administered to him, because the information wasn’t available.Eze also stressed that he explored the injury on the back of Mohbad’s right arm for a possible deeper penetration, which could have led to his death, and found out that it was superficial.H said, “Even a newborn baby won’t die from that injury. At the time I conducted the autopsy, it wasn’t even there, maybe because of the post-mortem changes on the body. I couldn’t tell how the injection was given, because I had already lost (his) fluids.”At the last sitting, the witness said the cause of death couldn’t be determined due to the advanced stage of decomposition of the corpse. But, he wouldn’t rule out a severe reaction.
He said, “Considering all the postmortem findings, including ancillary tests and available information, a major disruption of vital organ systems of the body with resultant fatality due to a severe and rapid hypersensitivity reaction to a substance administered by parenteral route is plausible.”

The 26-year-old was said to have died on September 12, 2023, after sustaining an injury on the back of his right arm. He was treated and given an injection at his Lekki home by a nurse, and died shortly after he developed a sudden convulsion. He was buried the following day.

Following a massive public outcry, the body was exhumed on September 21, 2023, for an autopsy on the orders of the Lagos State Government. The findings in that autopsy concluded on April 29, 2024, showed that the cause of death couldn’t be ascertained as the internal organs were already “in a state of moderate to severe decomposition”.

The second autopsy was ordered by the Coroner in June 2024, after the deceased’s family made an application for an independent review.

Eze also said during his examination by Mohbad’s family counsel, Wahab Shittu (SAN), that the handling of the musician by the supposed nurse looked like a “medical misadventure.”

Some policemen stationed at checkpoints leading into Minna, the Niger State capital, have been accused of extorting travelers and forcibly cutting their dreadlocks, despite Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago’s earlier clarification that such directives were not meant for visitors or legitimate business people.

A victim, Wisdom Jonathan, a photographer, narrated his ordeal to journalists, stating that he and two of his workers were stopped at the Pogo checkpoint while entering the state.

According to him, the officers cut off the hair of his colleagues and imposed a N2,000 fine on them.

Jonathan further alleged that he was assaulted with a fan belt by the officers after he protested the treatment meted out to his team.

Governor Bago had previously explained that the hair-cutting directive was targeted at specific groups known for criminal activity and not intended for innocent visitors.

However, the latest incident has sparked concern over abuse of the directive and potential human rights violations.

“When we were coming into Minna, we were stopped at the police checkpoint around Pogo and they told the other two men i was with to open their cap, they did. One has punk and the other one had dreadlocks. They said they will have to cut their hair as it was now the law. I went to them and told them that we are coming to work in Minna and we are not living in Minnrefused, they brought out fan belt and started hitting me with it that i am trying to stop them from doing their job. I was trying to be careful to ensure that the men I brought with me for the work return back safely. have to pay fine of N2,000. They gave them their Opay account and one of the men transferred N2,000 to the officer and the other man gave N2,000 cash.”

When contacted, the Niger state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun said the command will investigate the issue, “We will verify, investigate and ascertain the personnel involved for further necessary action”, he said in a message to the reporter.

In an apparent response to the incident and others, the Niger state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Honorable Binta Mamman reiterated that the government’s position towards the dreadlocks was to clamp down on nefarious youths groups with distinct hairstyles causing mayhem in parts of Minna, the state capital.

She explained that those who would be affected are those who wear dreadlocks in front while the back of their heads is shaved.

According to Mamman, “This is not a blanket criminalization of hairstyles, but a preventive measure informed by intelligence and ongoing trends. The aim is to dismantle the formation and spread of these emerging groups before they become deeply rooted in the state.

“The government has observed a disturbing trend among some youth groups where a distinct hairstyle that appears to be evolving into a form of group identity or cultism. The defaulters that will be arrested are those who wear certain dreadlocks in front while the back of their heads are shaved. The security agencies know them because they walk in droves.

“With intelligence reports, this particular dreadlocks style has increasingly become associated with members of these groups.”

In her statement, there was no mention of fines being imposed on offenders as alledged to have been colllected by some security personnel who are at various roadblocks.

Former US president, Joe Biden and former first lady Jill Biden will attend the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday to pay a tribute to their close relationship.

According to the office of the former president, the couple will travel independently, and not on Air Force One with President Donald Trump, who will also be attending the funeral.

The Vatican has said, so far, some 50 heads of state and ten reigning monarchs have confirmed their attendance.

Biden, a devout Catholic, has often expressed affection and admiration for Pope Francis.

The duo had several official and private meetings and Biden reportedly kept a photo of Francis in the Oval Office during his term.

The Democrat had planned to visit the Vatican at the very end of his term in January to personally present the head of the Catholic Church with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honour.

However, Biden had to cancel the trip due to violent fires in Los Angeles.

It will be recalled that an ex-US president, George W. Bush in 2005, brought two of his predecessors, Bill Clinton and his father, George Bush Senior, with him to attend the funeral of Pope John Paul II.Former US president, Joe Biden and former first lady Jill Biden will attend the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday to pay a tribute to their close relationship.

In a statement on Friday, Olubodunde Oni, acting assistant director of army public relations, said the troops have continued to record tremendous operational successes in recent days.

“The gallant troops carried out a series of coordinated operations across various local government areas (LGAs), resulting in the arrest of a wanted bandit.

“One of the feats is the apprehension of a notorious military imposter and the recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition. On April 16, following a distress call from a local hunter, troops swiftly mobilised to a suspected bandit’s camp at Dutsen Kachalla in Lainde, Lau LGA.

“Upon sighting the approaching troops, the criminals fled into the mountainous terrain. The troops pursued and successfully recovered one AK-47 magazine, one AK-47 rifle butt, one piece of military headgear and a national identification card belonging to one Adamu Umaru Jauro,” the statement said.

It added that on April 19, troops apprehended one Yusuf Hammadu, also known as Dogo in Lau LGA, who had been on the watchlist of security agencies for his involvement in several criminal activities.

It said that during preliminary interrogation, Mr Hammadu confessed to being a member of a syndicate responsible for multiple kidnappings and ransom collections in Jalingo, Ardo-Kola, Lau, and Yorro LGAs.

“In another operation on April 22, troops arrested one Richard Ongu, who had been parading himself as a serving major in the Nigerian Army.

“The suspect falsely claimed to be posted to 20 Model Battalion, Gashaka. During the preliminary investigation, Ongu claimed he was a discharged Flight Sergeant of the Nigerian Air Force, separated from service since November 22, 2019,” the statement continued.

The statement noted that Mr Ongu had reportedly swindled several individuals by impersonating military personnel.

“He fraudulently exchanged his Nissan Jeep for a Toyota Corolla worth N5.2 million from a car stand owned by Alhaji Ishaka Donga, promising to pay the balance, which he failed to do.

“He also collected ₦1.6 million as a deposit for supplying 350 bags of Beniseed and extorted money from locals in Bali and Gassol LGAs under the guise of recruiting their children into the Nigerian Army.

“He even claimed to be the Officer Commanding the Forward Operating Base, Bali, and attempted to illegally procure firearms for community leaders. The suspect will be handed over to appropriate authorities upon the conclusion of military investigations for proper prosecution,” the statement added.

The statement further noted that on April 24, the 6 Brigade troops and the DIA operatives conducted a successful operation at Jatau-Nyimu village in Donga LGA.

The operation led to the recovery of 86 rounds of 5.6mm ammunition, one Tarvor magazine, four cartridges, a Beofeng handheld radio, three single-barrel guns and two military camouflage uniforms.

The statement said Brig. Gen. Kingsley Uwa, the commander of 6 Brigade, Jalingo, commended the troops for their professionalism and resilience.

The commander reiterated the Nigerian Army’s commitment to ensuring lasting peace and security in Taraba and called on the public to continue to provide timely and credible information to assist ongoing operations.

(NAN)

IMF managing director, Kristalina Georgieva, stated this at a news conference in Washington, D.C., on the sidelines of the 2025 IMF Spring Meeting.

In achieving this, Ms Georgieva said Nigeria, like other African nations, should deploy technology and reduce tax evasion.

According to her, the falling oil prices have created additional pressure on the budgets of oil producers like Nigeria.

Regarding monetary policy, the IMF boss tasked African countries with tackling corruption, promoting transparency, and doing the right things that work for their respective economies.

“We are no more in a place where you can look at the book of the central bank of the neighbouring country and say, ‘Oh, they are doing this; I will do the same’.

“You have to really assess domestic resource mobilisation and your inflationary pressures and do the right thing for your country,” she said.

Ms Georgieva, however, advised the continent to deepen regional trade and remove obstacles to regional trading.

Ms Georgieva urged the African continent to take a cue from the Association of South-East Asian Nations in deepening interregional trade and cooperation.

“Sometimes there are infrastructure obstacles; the World Bank is working on reducing that infrastructure obstacle to growth and trade,” she said.

Ms Georgieva added that Africa has much to offer the world, including minerals, natural resources, and the young population.

She recommended that African countries, particularly Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire, continue on the path of strengthening their country’s buffer levels.

“I think a more unified, more collaborative continent can go a long way to becoming an economic powerhouse,” Ms Georgieva said.

The IMF boss also spoke about the direct and indirect impacts of tariffs on most countries on the continent, especially with slow global growth.

According to her, tariffs might not directly impact the countries on the continent, but indirectly, they are quite significant.

The court of appeal Abuja division has ordered the central bank of Nigeria to pay all outstanding monies it owes to a company, Adani Megasystems, after the CBN terminated the agreement they had over the pre-shipment of imports and exports in the nation’s ports.

In a unanimous decision, the three man panel led by Justice Okon Abang in annulling the purported contract termination held that Adani Kegasystems had shown evidence of satisfactorily executing the contract, and that CBN had even received over 100 billion naira as its one percent commission.

The court observed the importance of the cargo pre-shipment inspection and e-ticket initiative to the federal government, and ordered the CBN to meet its contractual agreements on the matter.

Atiku is one of the politicians that I know that is satisfied with whatever he has. Most other politicians, like his critics, are gluttons. It is unfortunate that the unrelenting opposition that Atiku has is still in the PDP, his party, not even outside the PDP,” Mr Adewale said on Friday.

Mr Adewale, a former PDP chair in Lagos, said on Friday that no one should write off Mr Abubakar politically or tell him to leave the PDP.

Some critics of Mr Abubakar’s presidential ambition, including Messrs George and Fayose, had advised the former vice-president not to run for president in 2027.

While Mr George told Mr Abubakar to resign from the PDP over alleged anti-party activities immediately, Mr Fayose said he would work against his presidential ambition if he decided to contest in 2027.

However, Mr Adewale, “He (Mr Abubakar) has been tested and tried as part of the few politicians with contentment, and he has never given up. He had been in power. He understands Nigerian politics.

“He knows our challenges compared to other politicians that just want to grab power to get wealth.”

He added, “Anyone within the PDP saying Atiku should not contest in 2027 is working for the opposition and not for the party or the country.

“They are working for their personal pocket. Therefore, they should not be listened to. We must discard their opinions. All dissenting voices in our party are working for their stomach, not for Nigeria.”

He maintained that none of the opposition parties could defeat the ruling party single-handedly, not even the Labour Party.