IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

A Director at the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Mr. Isaiah Yesufu, testified Monday against former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika in an ongoing fraud trial over alleged abuse of office and N19.4 billion contract fraud.

Yesufu told the Federal Capital Territory High Court that the BPP was unaware of a contract split in the Katsina Airport terminal project awarded to Enginos Nigeria Ltd—owned by Sirika’s brother, Ahmad.

The EFCC accused Sirika of using his office to improperly award contracts to Enginos, including a N1.3bn terminal project and a N3.8bn fire truck facility, in violation of procurement rules. The defendants pleaded not guilty.

Justice Suleiman Belgore adjourned the trial to April 8 for continuation of the prosecution’s case.

Abuja was thrown into confusion Monday morning as security forces blocked major routes leading to Eagles Square and the Federal Secretariat to prevent planned protests against the emergency rule in Rivers State and the controversial cybercrime law.

Reports has it that police deployed vehicles to barricade the area before dawn, disrupting regular movement.

Commuters and workers heading to offices near the protest zone were left stranded or forced to disembark and walk under close police surveillance.

The blockade caused heavy traffic congestion and chaotic scenes as frustrated citizens attempted to navigate the restricted area.

Security agencies have yet to provide an official explanation for the disruption.

Police operatives in Rivers State fired teargas on Monday morning to disperse protesters gathered at Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt.

The protest, led by the Take It Back Movement, was in response to the declaration of emergency rule in the state.

Heavily armed officers surrounded the area as early as 9:00 a.m., confronting demonstrators who insisted on their right to assemble.

"We are Rivers people — no one can tell us where to gather," some protesters reportedly shouted, according to Channels TV.

The Nigeria Police Force had earlier urged the group to cancel the protest.

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi on Sunday paid a condolence visit to the Ajimobi family following the death of their daughter, Abisola Kola-Daisi.

Abisola, daughter of the late former Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, died of cancer in the UK on March 27. She is survived by her husband and three children.

Governor Abiodun described her passing as a “devastating loss,” offering prayers for the family’s strength and healing.

Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) have neutralised three bandits, destroyed several camps, and recovered arms and ammunition in a daring clearance operation in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The operation which took place yon April 5, 2025 is in continuation of the ongoing military operations codenamed Operation Lafiya Jamaa aimed at flushing out criminal elements from Taraba State.

This is contained in a press statement issued by the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade, Captain Olubodunde Oni.

According to the statement, the operation, which targeted suspected bandits’ hideouts, saw troops advancing to Achalle where they thoroughly cleared the general area before projecting further force into Chibi. “On arrival at Chibi, the troops made contact with the bandits, who began fleeing upon sighting the advancing forces,” the statement read.

“In the engagement that ensued, three bandits were neutralized, and several makeshift camps used by the criminals were destroyed. Troops also recovered 2 motorcycles, 1 AK-47 magazine, and 13 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition from the scene.” The troops also conducted a thorough combing of the Dutsen Zaki and Achalle axis where over seventy criminal camps have been dismantled in recent weeks.

Oni stated that no human activity was observed during this latest sweep, indicating the sustained success of previous operations. 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have intercepted cocaine hidden inside the walls of several suitcases.

NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a post on Sunday, attaching the videos of the seized contraband on X.

He decried a situation whereby the smugglers went to extreme lengths, factory-fitting the hard drugs within the luggage with surgical precision.

“Narco-trend update: Strewing the walls of suitcases, in factory fitting precision, with cocaine, must have taken lot of efforts and resources but at the end #ndlea_nigeria officers still uncovered all as revealed in these videos that captured the latest seizure by #ndlea,” the statement read.

According to the video released by the agency, officers were slicing through suitcase linings to remove the hidden cocaine.