IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) has arrested four suspects for illegal possession of firearms, gunrunning, kidnapping, banditry, and job racketeering.

According to a statement by NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, CSC Babawale Zaid Afolabi, the squad recovered:

Two automatic rifles with three magazines

An AK-47 rifle with 15 live rounds

One FN rifle with two live rounds

One live cartridge

Nine locally fabricated pistols

One bayonet

Two pairs of Nigerian Forest Security Services uniforms

The arrested suspects were identified as Umar Ibrahim (35), Nura Abubakar (20), and Mohammed Sule (20). They were apprehended at Ukoso Komva Ward in Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The statement revealed that during interrogation, three of the suspects claimed they were deceived into the crime by an individual known as Ali, who is currently on the run. They said Ali recruited them to help sell firearms but were arrested while delivering them to a buyer.

Additionally, another suspect, Lar Changkur, a volunteer with the Nigerian Forest Security Services, was arrested in Bauchi State for alleged involvement in gunrunning.

Meanwhile, the squad also arrested 62-year-old Felix Clerkson for job racketeering. Investigations revealed that over 120 fake NSCDC appointment letters were recovered from him. He was arrested in Nasarawa Eggon after defrauding unsuspecting victims of over ₦26 million, with total fraud amounting to ₦55 million. His accomplices are currently on the run.

The NSCDC confirmed that all suspects will be charged to court upon the completion of investigations. 

The House of Representatives Constitution Review Committee has proposed the creation of 31 additional states, bringing the total number of states in Nigeria to 67.

The proposal, read by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu during plenary in Abuja, outlines the addition of six new states in the North Central, four in the North East, five in the North West, five in the South-South, and seven in the South West.

Some of the proposed states include:

North Central: Okun, Okura, Confluence, Benue Ala, Apa, and FCT State

North East: Amana, Katagum, Savannah, and Muri

North West: New Kaduna, Gurara, Tiga, Ari, and Kainji

South East: Etiti, Orashi, Adada, Orlu, and Aba

South-South: Ogoja, Warri, Ori, and Obolo

South West: Torumbe, Ibadan, Lagoon, Ijebu, and Oke Ogun/Ijesha

The committee emphasized that any state creation must meet constitutional requirements, including approval by the National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly, and Local Government Councils in the affected areas.

Proposals must be submitted in both hard and electronic copies to the committee for further consideration. 

The Adamawa State Government has been sued over the creation of the Fufore Emirate in Fufore Local Government Area.

The emirate was established in December 2024 following the passage of a bill by the state House of Assembly, which was later signed into law by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri. It was among seven new emirates and chiefdoms created across the state.

Legal Challenge Against Emirate’s Legitimacy

The lawsuit, which surfaced on Wednesday, coincided with the coronation of Emir Mohammad Ribadu at the emirate’s headquarters in Fufore town.

The plaintiffs—Alhaji Musa Halilu Ahmed, Alhaji Mustapha Dahiru Mustapha, and Alhaji Mustapha Ahmadu—are challenging the legality of the emirate's creation and the emir's appointment.

Court Proceedings

Documents have been served to the state government, with the case filed at High Court No. 4 in Yola. The defendants include:

Adamawa State Government

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri

Attorney General of Adamawa State

Alhaji Mohammad Sani Ahmadu Ribadu (Emir of Fufore)

The plaintiffs had earlier sought an injunction to halt the coronation ceremony, but their request was denied by the court. 

Jiuling Lithium Mining Company, a Chinese firm, has announced plans to invest over $200 million in establishing a lithium processing factory in the Endo community, located in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

During a visit to the site, the company’s representative, Xiong Jin, assured Governor Abdullahi Sule of their commitment to making it one of the largest lithium mining operations in the state. Jin also revealed that the company plans to offer a minimum salary of N500,000 to graduates hired for the project.

Jin requested the state government’s support in improving security and infrastructure, and urged local residents to acquire relevant technical skills to benefit from job opportunities at the plant.

In response, Governor Sule praised the company for its investment and encouraged the state's youth to pursue technical studies that will equip them for employment in the mining industry. He emphasized the importance of taking advantage of the company’s presence to boost knowledge and livelihoods.

This inspection followed the governor's recent trip to China, where he visited Jiuling’s headquarters and met with the company’s chairman, who committed to establishing the plant in Nasarawa.

Sule confirmed that Jiuling is committed to hiring local technical talent, offering competitive salaries, and supporting state infrastructure development. He also assured that efforts are underway to improve essential services like roads, water, and electricity, alongside collaboration with national ministries to ensure the company’s smooth operation in the state. 

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in tackling drug abuse and illicit trafficking in Nigeria.  

This assurance was given on February 5, 2025, when UNODC’s new Country Representative in Nigeria, Cheikh Ousmane Toure, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.  

Toure acknowledged NDLEA’s leadership role in drug enforcement across Africa and emphasized the need to extend its successes to the state level, given the link between drug abuse and security challenges. He also called for enhanced collaboration to strengthen NDLEA’s capacity and share best practices across West Africa.  

In response, Marwa expressed appreciation for UNODC’s ongoing support and highlighted key areas where additional assistance is needed, including:  

- Alternative Development Programme – Providing cannabis farmers with alternative livelihoods.  

- Drug Use Survey – Updating the 2018 report to assess current drug prevalence and trends.  

- National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) – Developing a new framework beyond the 2021–2025 plan.  

- Capacity Building & Training – Expanding personnel training to enhance effectiveness.  

- Field Test Kits – Equipping NDLEA with portable tools for on-the-spot drug testing.  

Marwa expressed confidence that under Toure’s leadership, UNODC’s partnership with NDLEA would reach new heights in the fight against drug-related crimes. 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) has recognised Ude Okoye as the party’s authentic National Secretary. They urged the party’s national working committee to immediately swear him in as the substantive national secretary of the party.

The decision was taken during an emergency meeting at Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja on Wednesday over the party’s lingering crisis. The meeting has in attendance the BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara; Secretary of the BoT, Senator Ahmed Makarfi.

Others included former governors Achike Udenwa, Sam Egwu, Babangida Aliyu, and Senator Ben Obi among others.

At the gathering the BoT received report from the former Minister of Special Duties, Tamini Turaki, who was mandated to study the çourt’s documents submitted by both the PDP National Secretary, Samuel Nayanwu and Sunday Udeh-Okoye who has been contesting the legality of his office. 

In his opening remarks, the BoT Chairman commended the PDP governors for asking that the National Working Committee of the party holds its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in March. The BoT Chairman also cited the violence that occurred last week, as the reason why they will not hold their meetings at the Wadata Plaza until security is restored in the secretariat.

Both Okoye and Senator Samuel Anyanwu are laying claim to the PDP Secretary’s office, a development that is now pitching members of the party against one another.