IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

The Kano State Police Command has arrested two suspected drug traffickers, Muntari Shu’aibu and Imrana Rabi’u, and handed them over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) along with illicit drugs valued at over $92,000 (N150 million).

Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, said the suspects were caught with six bales of Tramadol during a sting operation based on intelligence.

He said the crackdown aligns with efforts to curb drug-related crimes fueling violence in the state.

“This operation reflects our commitment to ensuring public safety and well-being,” Bakori stated.

The handover to NDLEA, he added, is part of the Inspector-General of Police’s push for inclusive policing and stronger inter-agency collaboration in fighting crime. 

The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has approved a request by the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd), to deploy corps members with relevant qualifications to the agency’s counselling and rehabilitation centres across the country.

Marwa made the appeal during Nafiu’s courtesy visit to the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja, noting that the agency currently operates centres in 30 states, with plans to establish seven more to ensure coverage across all 36 states and the FCT. He also proposed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to guide collaboration between the two bodies.

While welcoming the idea of drug integrity testing for prospective corps members, Nafiu said such action would require a policy directive, as the NYSC Act does not currently permit it. He added that the scheme would comply if it becomes an official government policy. 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says eligible Nigerians may vote without a Permanent Voter Card (PVC) in the 2027 elections—if electoral laws are amended.

INEC Chairman’s spokesperson, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said the commission supports using technology to expand voter access, including computer-generated slips for accreditation, but stressed that legal provisions must first be updated.

INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu had earlier noted that such a shift could cut costs, ease logistics, and reduce PVC-related fraud, though PVCs will remain valid for current holders. 

Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has cancelled celebrations for his 64th birthday in solidarity with victims of recent violent attacks in the state.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Terver Akase, Ortom cited the ongoing killings by suspected Fulani terrorists across Benue as the reason for his decision.

“There will be no celebrations while our people are being massacred,” he said, expressing sympathy for victims and reaffirming his commitment to public service.

Ortom urged prayers for the affected families and for national leaders, including President Bola Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Alia, to find solutions to Nigeria’s security challenges. 

The Ondo State Government has begun a statewide registration of farmers across its 18 local councils to build a comprehensive database for targeted agricultural support and planning.

Wemimo Akinsola, Governor Aiyedatiwa’s aide on Agric and Agri-Business, said the exercise will help identify farmers, their crops, and farm locations, enhancing food security through data-driven policies.

The open-ended registration, which started with cocoa farmers, will extend to maize and cassava growers. It is accessible via the portal www.osaec.org.ng, local government offices, or in person at the Agric Empowerment Center.

Officials also announced plans to establish tractor units in each senatorial district to support farmers during planting seasons. 

National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration inherited a deeply troubled government, especially in terms of insecurity.

Ribadu made the remark during a visit to Benue State on Tuesday to condole with the government and people over the recent killing of over 72 residents by suspected armed herders.

While condemning the attacks, Ribadu appealed to the people of Benue to support the Tinubu-led administration and avoid politicizing the tragedy, saying such cooperation would aid efforts to restore peace.

“Our Armed Forces are doing well. It’s not possible to station soldiers or police in every village. Give us a chance and stop politicizing the killings. This will help us restore peace,” he said.

Ribadu added, “We inherited an extremely bad government, but there have been improvements. Solving security issues takes time. We’ve reduced the violence we met and will confront this too.”

In his response, Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, described the situation as a dark period, citing years of relentless attacks since 2011.

The visit follows a wave of fresh violence in the state, including a Tuesday morning attack in Afia, Ukum LGA, which left 11 people dead and several others injured.