News

After Over 5 Years In Darkness, Governor Alex Otti To Address Blackout In Ohafia The Abia State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the prolonged blackout in Ohafia Local Government Area, which has persisted for over five years. In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ctz. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, the Government also announced plans to revive the defunct Star Paper Mill in Aba. Governor Alex Otti made these revelations on Wednesday, 12 June, during a grand civic reception organised in his honour by Abiriba Communal Improvement Union (ACIU) at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba.…

Notorious Kidnappers, Others Escape From Police Cell Prominent kidnappers were among 13 suspects who escaped from police detention at the Area Command in Nasarawa State. They reportedly escaped after breaking through the wall of their cell The incident occurred on June 14, 2025, at about 06:30 hours when the suspects held by the OC Anti-Kidnapping and OC Anti-Cultism broke out of their cell from the rear wall, police sources confirmed to Zagazola Makama on Sunday. The suspects, now at large, include Jamilu Abdulsalam, chain theft and kidnapping, Abdullahi Yahaya (chain theft, kidnapping and culpable homicide), Usman Yerima (chain theft, kidnapping…

Police Fire Tear Gas At Residents Protesting Killings In Benue Police operatives in Makurdi, the Benue state capital, have dispersed protesters using tear gas during a demonstration against renewed attacks in the state. The protest, held at the Wurukum roundabout on Sunday, was organised in response to the killing of over 100 people in Yelewata and Daudu communities in Guma LGA on Friday night. The incident came less than 48 hours after 25 others were killed in Mtswenem and Akondotyough Bawa, both in Makurdi LGA. Protesters, dressed in black clothing and carrying fresh leaves, gathered to demand urgent action from…

Pope Leo Condemns Benue Massacre, Prays For Victims Pope Leo XIV has condemned the recent killings in Benue State, describing the incident as a “terrible massacre” in which mostly displaced civilians were murdered with “extreme cruelty”. Delivering his remarks before the Sunday Angelus prayer at the Vatican, the pontiff expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence in Nigeria and the suffering of affected communities. The Pope prayed for “security, justice, and peace” to prevail in the country and offered special intercession for the rural Christian communities in Benue, whom he described as “relentless victims of violence.” The attack occurred in…

STATEHOUSE PRESS STATEMENT BENUE CRISIS: PRESIDENT TINUBU DIRECTS SECURITY CHIEFS TO IMPLEMENT EARLIER DIRECTIVE, TASKS GOVERNOR ALIA ON RECONCILIATION President Bola Tinubu has directed security chiefs to implement his earlier directive to bring lasting peace and security to Benue State. President Tinubu renewed his order in the wake of the latest round of reprisal attacks that led to the death of many people. On the president's directive, intelligence chiefs, the police and the military have arrived in the state to direct security operations and restore sanity. President Tinubu has equally charged the governor of Benue State with convening reconciliation meetings…

Ambassador Osita Offor Hails Rep Amobi Ogah On Birthday   The Undisputed and Undefeated World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion of the Champions, Ambassador Osita Offor, popularly known as De Ultimate Commander, has extended warm birthday wishes to the Honourable Member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, Hon. Amobi Ogah, who's also a founding member of UAAPF, as he marks his birthday on June 16.   Ambassador Offor, who is the President of United Abia Artistes and Patriots (UAAP) Forum, in a statement made available to journalists, in Abuja praised Rep. Ogah’s commitment to the development of his constituency and his impactful contributions at…

Ebonyi Federal Lawmaker Defects To APC I am happy to join the APC. My decision stems from a desire to support Governor Francis Nwifuru and his administration fully. A Member of the House of Representatives, Joseph Nwobasi of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Ebonyi, has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).   Mr Nwobasi, who represents Ezza-North/Ishielu Federal Constituency, announced his defection at the Ezza-North council headquarters on Sunday. He said the decision to move to the APC with his supporters was to strengthen support for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Francis Nwifuru. Mr Nwobasi was…

JUST IN: APC North-East Stakeholders’ Meeting Turns Violent After Omission Of Shettima In Tinubu Endorsement A political storm has hit the North-East following a controversial endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term without any mention of Vice President Kashim Shettima. At Sunday’s APC stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe, National Vice Chairman (North-East) Mustapha Salihu sparked fury when he threw support behind Tinubu as an unopposed candidate, but conspicuously left out Shettima, who hails from Borno State. Delegates erupted in anger, with some threatening physical assault, forcing Salihu to be whisked away by security operatives. An attempt to douse the…

Drama As Security Operatives Storm Abia PDP Meeting Over Alleged Unapproved Gathering There was palpable drama in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State on Friday, as a meeting organised by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was suddenly interrupted and forced to relocate following the unexpected arrival of security operatives. The meeting, initially held at a community square, was disrupted when personnel from Operation Crush — a combined security task force in Abia State — stormed the venue. Although the operatives did not make any arrests or physically confront the attendees, their silent and strategic presence created confusion,…

Ebonyi Celebrates Landing Of First Commercial Flight   The Ebonyi State government has welcomed its first commercial flight at Wilberforce Chuba Okadigbo Airport, located in Onueke, Ezza-South Local Government Area of the state. The aircraft arrived from Abuja on Friday at 11:15 a.m. with passengers aboard. The flight was operated by United Nigeria Airlines with registration number 5N-8WV. One of the passengers and ex-deputy governor, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, described the flight as a major milestone for the state. He said, “This is the first flight, and I am fortunate to be among those who landed here.’’ He praised the runway,…