Armed assailants have reportedly abducted three individuals, including two local officials from the palace, and set several homes on fire in the Bunyun community within Bashar District, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Sources indicate that the attack took place on Wednesday evening around 7:30 pm and may be connected to a recent clash between vigilante groups and bandits, which resulted in multiple vigilante casualties and widespread property destruction.
The traditional ruler of the community, Abdulbari’u Muhammad, confirmed the incident to journalists in Jos on Thursday. He explained that a large number of bandits arrived on motorcycles, raiding the community and stealing valuables such as foodstuffs, clothing, and motorcycles.
“We are completely at a loss and don’t know what steps to take, which is why we fled to Bashar. Everyone has evacuated because the community is no longer safe,” Muhammad stated.
He identified the kidnapped palace officials as Waziri and Wakili, who is his younger brother.
Residents reported that the entire community had been deserted, with many fleeing to nearby towns like Bashar for safety.
Abubakar Zubairu, a local resident, told PUNCH Metro, “The community was deserted on Thursday morning following the attack on Wednesday night.”
Muhammad appealed to the government to send sufficient security personnel to the area to enable farmers to return to their fields and protect their livelihoods.
“Our crops are already planted, and we are deeply concerned about our farms. We urgently need security support so we can go back to our farms and sustain ourselves,” he said.
This incident underscores the escalating insecurity in Plateau communities and the urgent need for government action to safeguard lives and property.
As of this report, responses from Major Samson Zhakom of Operation Safe Haven and Alabo Alfred of the state Police Command had not been received despite multiple calls and messages.
The Presidency has refuted accusations that President Bola Tinubu is responsible for the recent challenges encountered by opposition parties in Nigeria, labeling such claims as baseless and politically charged.
In an interview on Arise News’ Prime Time on Thursday evening, Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, clarified the situation.
Onanuga rejected allegations that President Tinubu was meddling in the operations or meetings of opposition coalitions, particularly regarding the newly formed alliance between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party leader Peter Obi, and others affiliated with the African Democratic Congress.
“There seems to be a common tendency in Nigeria to blame Tinubu for any issues that arise. When people experience difficulties, their immediate reaction is often to point fingers at him. This is simply not accurate; he wasn’t even in the country when many of these incidents occurred,” Onanuga stated.
Opposition figures have claimed that venues reserved for political gatherings were unexpectedly canceled, forcing members of the ADC coalition to navigate long distances to the Shehu Musa Yaradua Centre in Abuja to evade security scrutiny.
Onanuga dismissed assertions that the current administration is quelling dissent or suppressing opposition voices.
“This government upholds the principles of free speech. I have heard accusations suggesting that we are against freedom of expression, which is utterly false. This administration promotes free speech, free opinion, and freedom of the press. If a hotel chooses to cancel an event reservation, does that imply that Tinubu owns the hotel?” he questioned.
Addressing the emerging coalition between Atiku and Obi, Onanuga noted that political alliances do not necessarily guarantee success at the polls.
“Atiku has participated in more presidential races than anyone else—more than Tinubu and Obi combined. Each time, he has fallen short. Buhari faced similar setbacks multiple times, yet he ultimately triumphed, with Tinubu’s support,” he remarked.
He further indicated that Atiku’s approach in the 2023 elections, which largely appealed to northern sentiments, was unsuccessful with Southern voters. “If he attempts that strategy again, how can he expect to gain support from the South? Even with Obi as a running mate, it’s uncertain whether Obi’s supporters from 2023 will back him again,” he added.
Onanuga reiterated that Tinubu continues to enjoy substantial backing in the North, pointing to significant appointments and policies as evidence of the region’s support for his administration.
“This president is doing a great deal for the North. He has placed individuals from the North-West and North-East in senior positions. In politics, reciprocation is essential. The criticism does not align with the reality on the ground. Many are reaping the benefits,” he stated.
He concluded by emphasizing that, at the appropriate time, President Tinubu would leverage the goodwill fostered by his administration’s initiatives across the nation.
A tragic incident has claimed the life of three-year-old Chibuike Uba, who drowned after falling into an uncovered soakaway in Babarinsa, located in the Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos State.
According to reports, the incident happened on Wednesday during a visit to his aunt’s house in the community. Chibuike’s mother, Utoro, who lives in the Epe area of Lagos, was packing her belongings in preparation to leave when her son slipped away from her sight. She had stepped out of the room to meet her aunt, who had briefly gone outside to make a phone call.
When her aunt returned, Utoro inquired about her son’s whereabouts, only to realize he was missing. A frantic search ensued, and Uba’s slippers were discovered near an open soakaway on the neighboring compound. Alarmed, she raised an urgent call for help.
In a voice note shared with our correspondent on Thursday, Utoro expressed her distress, saying, “I was packing to leave when my aunt got a call, and my son followed her outside. I thought he was still with her, so I continued packing. When she returned inside, I asked about my son, but she said he had come back inside. I quickly went outside to look for him but couldn’t find him.”
She continued, “That’s when I saw his slippers near the soakaway in the next compound, which has no fence. I shouted that my baby was inside the soakaway. We immediately tried to rescue him and rushed him to the hospital.”
Chibuike was taken to a nearby healthcare facility in Sapati, and later transferred to the General Hospital in Akodo. Despite being placed on oxygen, doctors confirmed that he had passed away.
Utoro accused the landlord of negligence, claiming that her aunt had repeatedly warned him to secure the soakaway, but he had failed to do so. “My aunt told the landlord several times to cover the soakaway, but he kept promising to do so. The wooden cover she used was damaged by flooding, and as of now, the soakaway remains open,” she lamented.
Efforts to reach the landlord for comment were unsuccessful, as contact details could not be obtained. Harmony Tachie, a human rights advocate and founder of the Harmony Advocacy Network, stated that the landlord does not reside in the community. “We’ve been unable to reach him, and we are working to report the incident to the police to seek justice,” she said.
This tragic event follows a similar incident in November 2024, when 10-year-old Obinna Okoro drowned after slipping into floodwaters along Liasu Road, Idimu, during heavy rainfall. Obinna and his younger sister were walking home from church when he lost footing on an unprotected walkway, causing him to be swept away by floodwaters.
…Oborevwori Commits to Supporting Artisans Further
By Sunday Apah
In a show of solidarity, more than 10,000 registered members of the Informal Sector, comprising various associations of artisans and market women in Delta State, publicly endorsed the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for the year 2027.
This was made on Thursday during a gathering that celebrated the contributions of artisans to the state’s economy.
The associations represented included Market Women, Hairdressers, Tilers, Butchers, Aluminum Roofers, National Masons, DeeJays, Catering Services, Event Planners, and many others. Their collective support also extended to Motor Technicians, Bricklayers, Shoemakers, Welders, Spare Parts Dealers, Solar Installers, and various service providers across industries such as photography and catering.
Chief Ifeanyi Abanom, chairman of the artisan body, expressed unwavering loyalty to the continuation of the “Renewed Hope for MORE Agenda,” emphasizing that the celebration of Artisans Day served as a platform to endorse both Tinubu and Oborevwori for the upcoming election in 2027.
During the event, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, highlighted the crucial role artisans play in both local communities and the broader economy of Nigeria. He stated, “Artisans are not just service providers; they are creators, innovators, and problem solvers.”
Oborevwori elaborated that the celebration was a significant affirmation of the administration’s commitment to empowering the informal sector. He noted that the event marked a major milestone with the inauguration of 25 local government coordinators and 36 state trade unions, aiming to further organize and professionalize artisans.
The Governor outlined several initiatives his administration has implemented to promote artisanship, including revitalizing vocational training programs and providing new platforms for access to modern skills and microfinance opportunities. He asserted, “Thousands of artisans are now equipped to grow from small-scale operators to full-fledged business owners.”
He also stressed the importance of the newly inaugurated local government coordinators and trade union leaders, urging them to collaborate, promote innovation, and facilitate training programs that will keep artisans competitive on a global scale. Governor Oborevwori reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to supporting artisans through enabling policies and targeted funding.
Furthermore, he encouraged residents to support local artisans, emphasizing that doing so would help create a value chain that retains wealth within the community. Former Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa also underscored the importance of empowering artisans, advocating for structured support to ensure that resources reach those who need them most, thus enhancing the overall economy of the state.
Chief Solomon Arenyeka, JP, the former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, has congratulated Hon. (Elder) Emmanuel Egbabor, the former State Organizing Secretary of the PDP, on the occasion of his birthday anniversary.
The message of goodwill was shared through a statement released by Arenyeka’s Media Assistant, Olorogun Sunday Apah.
In his statement, Chief Arenyeka praised Egbabor for his significant contributions to the political landscape of Delta State.
He highlighted Egbabor’s previous role as the State Organizing Secretary of the PDP and emphasized his leadership during his tenure as the Chairman of the Isoko North Local Government Council.
Arenyeka described Egbabor as a dedicated public servant who has consistently worked for the betterment of his state.
Arenyeka further acknowledged Egbabor’s unwavering commitment to the principles of democracy and good governance.
He expressed admiration for Egbabor’s ability to unite people and foster collaboration across political lines, promoting progress in Isoko North and beyond.
“Your leadership has been a source of inspiration for many, and your dedication to public service is commendable,” Arenyeka stated.
Chief Arenyeka conveyed his best wishes for the year ahead and expressed hopes that Egbabor will continue to thrive in all his endeavors and remain a vital force for positive change in Delta State.
“May your birthday be filled with joy, and may you continue to excel in your efforts to uplift our community,” he added.
The Senate has officially appointed Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision during Thursday’s plenary session, confirming that Bassey will take over from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently facing suspension.
In February, Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee following her removal as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.
Bassey serves as the senator for the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District. While no specific reason was provided for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s removal, it is widely believed to be linked to her ongoing suspension.
In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ruled in favor of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reinstatement and instructed her to apologize to the Senate. However, the Senate maintains that it has not received an official certified copy of the court’s judgment.
Despite a recent court ruling that invalidated her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has not yet returned to her legislative duties. During a televised interview on Tuesday, she stated that she is awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially resuming plenary sessions, emphasizing the importance of legal guidance and adherence to institutional processes.
The Federal High Court criticized her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional,” yet a legal opinion from July 5, attributed to Senate counsel Paul Daudu (SAN), contended that the ruling did not provide a binding directive for her reinstatement.
As one of only three female senators in the current assembly, Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed her concerns regarding the delay in her return, arguing that it not only undermines her mandate but also impacts democratic representation for women and children in Nigeria.
“By excluding me from the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central; it’s denying representation for Nigerian women and children. We’ve diminished from eight female senators to just three,” she remarked.
The Supreme Court confirmed on Thursday the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State.
In a unanimous ruling delivered by a five-member panel chaired by Justice Mohammed Garba, the court dismissed an appeal lodged by Asuerinme Ighodalo, the candidate from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), aimed at overturning the results of the governorship election conducted on September 21, 2024, citing lack of merit.
The Supreme Court indicated that there were no valid grounds to overturn the consistent judgments from both the Court of Appeal and the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which had previously affirmed Okpebholo, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the legitimate winner of the election.
The court stated that Ighodalo had failed to provide credible and admissible evidence to support his allegations of election irregularities, which included claims of over-voting and significant non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
Additionally, the court noted that the Appellant did not summon relevant witnesses to corroborate the evidence presented, particularly concerning the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines.
It remarked that many of the pieces of evidence presented were inadequately supported and merely submitted without establishing the claimed non-compliance in 432 of the 4,519 polling units across the state.
“The Appellant did not adequately fulfill the burden of proof required by law,” the Supreme Court concluded in its lead judgment authored by Justice Garba.
Ighodalo’s appeal, marked as SC/CV/536/2025, sought to nullify the ruling from the Court of Appeal issued on May 29, which dismissed his case and upheld Okpebholo’s victory.
The PDP candidate argued that the appellate court failed to thoroughly evaluate his appeal, insisting that the election was conducted without significant adherence to the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The Supreme Court had reserved its judgment on July 2, following the final submissions from all parties involved.
While the PDP urged the court to overturn the existing rulings and declare Ighodalo as the rightful winner based on having received the highest number of valid votes, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Governor Okpebholo, and the APC requested the dismissal of the appeal to maintain the election results.
The Court of Appeal, led by Justice M. A. Danjuma, previously refused to annul Okpebholo’s election, upholding the tribunal’s May 15 judgment that validated the results declared by INEC.
The three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, had earlier dismissed petitions filed against Governor Okpebholo by the PDP and its candidate, along with cases from the Action Alliance and the Accord Party.
INEC had announced that Okpebholo garnered a total of 291,667 votes, surpassing Ighodalo of the PDP, who received 247,655 votes.
Dissatisfied with the election results, the petitioners approached the tribunal, claiming that the election did not comply significantly with the Electoral Act, 2022.
In the petition labeled EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, the PDP and its candidate contended that Governor Okpebholo did not acquire the highest number of valid votes cast.
The petitioners asserted that INEC failed to serialize and properly record some sensitive materials used in the election, alleging that this negligence enabled electoral fraud favoring the APC and its candidate.
Specifically, they claimed there was miscalculation of results in 765 polling units and presented 19 witnesses along with various exhibits before the tribunal.
Among the exhibits were 153 BVAS machines from 133 polling units, which the petitioners argued were manipulated at the collation centers, leading to inflated votes for Okpebholo.
In its ruling, the tribunal determined that the petitioners did not provide credible evidence sufficient to warrant overturning the election results.
It emphasized that the petitioners were responsible for proving that Governor Okpebholo had been improperly declared the winner, a burden they were unable to satisfy.
The tribunal also remarked that the PDP and its candidate submitted exhibits without the necessary demonstrations through qualified witnesses, compromising their case.
It noted that most testimonies provided were hearsay, and the absence of polling agents, presiding officials, or voters to substantiate their claims severely weakened their argument.
Further, the tribunal stated that Section 137 of the Electoral Act did not prevent the petitioners from bringing forth necessary, competent witnesses.
The tribunal dismissed the petitioners’ arguments regarding INEC’s alleged failure to pre-record election materials, stressing that none of the BVAS machines presented were activated to prove that the votes in dispute exceeded the number of accredited voters.
Following the Court of Appeal’s upholding of the tribunal’s judgment, Ighodalo escalated the matter to the Supreme Court, where he faced another defeat on Thursday.
Suspected kidnappers on Tuesday killed a male resident of Ovwor-Olomu in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State and also shot his son.
A reliable source, who preferred to remain anonymous, told DAILYSHINE NEWS that the man was killed by the suspected kidnappers because he attempted to escape from them.
He added that during the escape, the man’s son was also shot but survived the attack and is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in the state.
The anonymous source further stated that over seven kidnapping incidents have occurred in Ovwor-Olomu town in less than a month.
He called on security agencies to come to their aid, as residents living on the outskirts of the community are no longer safe and are the primary targets.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of Delta State, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident.
In a show of commitment to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, Olorogun John Oguma has been praised for his remarkable gesture of paying four years’ rent for the party’s secretariat.
Prominent APC members, including Dcn Matthew Kwode, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Political Matters; Olorogun Sunday Apah, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, and Chief John Ewenede, Secretary to Ughelli South LG Council, expressed their commendation during a chat with journalists on Wednesday at Otu-Jeremi, the headquarters of Ughelli South LGA.
During the chat, Kwode and Ewenede emphasized the importance of such acts in fostering party unity and operational strength.
They stated that Oguma’s initiative not only alleviates financial burdens but will also inspire other party members to contribute actively to the party’s welfare.
Adding to the praise, Olorogun Apah highlighted Oguma’s substantial financial donations aimed at giving a facelift to the secretariat.
“His generosity goes beyond mere words,” Apah mentioned, illustrating how Oguma’s actions signify a leadership that is deeply entrenched in political party service and support.
Such contributions are essential for the party’s growth and resilience, particularly in an era where political affiliations are often tested.
The party members expressed their gratitude, noting that Oguma’s financial commitment will enable the APC in Ughelli South to focus on its goals and engage more effectively with the people.
The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has stated that every area giving the interventionist agency a bad name has been sanitized.
Ogbuku, who made this known during a World Press Conference held in Asaba, Delta State, on Monday, said the transformation of the NDDC is built on the foundation of the renewed hope agenda.
According to him, “We believe that for the NDDC to progress faster, we need a lot more transparency, and transparency is what brings about probity and accountability.
“So, we looked at those areas where previous administrations have failed. We need to examine our contracting process and our procurement process. First things first, that is one area where people have accused the NDDC in the past.
“We decided to digitalize our procurement process to ensure that nobody can fake our award letters. Today, if you have an NDDC award letter, you will know that nobody can come back to you and say they were given a fake award letter.
“We decided to sanitize every process that was truly giving the NDDC a bad name, starting from procurement, and we digitalized it”, he reiterated.
He noted that an unstable board was also a major problem, where one person comes in to start something new, and because most times the politicians also want to shine, they start something new, and the new person comes in and abandons it.
Ogbuku commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for believing in them, giving them the task to make a difference, ensuring them of completing their term, and for them to account for their full tenure.
He further stated, “Mr. President has shown so much love to the people of the Niger Delta. On behalf of the Board and management, we want to say thank you for giving us this opportunity to serve our people, guiding us rightly, and using us to show love to the people of the Niger Delta.
“It is on record that immediately Mr. President assumed office as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the NDDC was one of the first boards he constituted.
“That shows how seriously he takes the Niger Delta and how he loves the people of the Niger Delta. After constituting the NDDC board, Mr. President did not only constitute the board and allow us to go and work; he engaged us and directed us on what to do.
“He directed the board and management of the NDDC to the Minister to ensure that we complete all abandoned projects and to ensure that we sign the performance bond,” he added.
