The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has confirmed that the Federal Government is carrying out a review process for the concessioning of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. There have been condemnations over reports that the airport has been concessioned for 80 years. However, the minister in a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood said whilst it was true that the federal government was considering proposals for the concession of five major airports to ensure these vital facilities can meet and maintain international standards, it was untrue that it had concluded the process. While noting that many of the country's airports were presently running at a loss, Keyamo said it was noteworthy that the initiative to concession the airports started from previous administrations. The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to certain online reports/stories suggesting that a certain lengthy period of concession has been agreed upon regarding the Enugu International Airport. These reports/stories are utterly baseless and untrue. “At this stage, prospective concessionaires have indeed submitted various proposals, including different durations for the concession. “It is important to emphasise that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has not established any fixed duration. “All submitted proposals are currently undergoing thorough evaluation that will eventually be reviewed by the ICRC before it is presented to the Minister for conveyance to FEC for approval. We can confirm that this review process has not been concluded.”

A serving police inspector has been arrested in Abuja for allegedly attempting to transport live ammunition via the Nyanya Motor Park. The arrest occurred around 3:15 p.m. on April 19, when security personnel, in collaboration with members of the Keffi Motor Park Union, became suspicious of a package scheduled for delivery to Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State. A search of the parcel revealed an AK-47 magazine loaded with 30 rounds of live ammunition. The suspect, identified as Inspector Kasimu Usman, is attached to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command. He was immediately taken into custody. During interrogation, Usman reportedly confessed that the ammunition was intended for another officer, Inspector Haruna Mohammed, who is currently serving with the 58 Police Mobile Force (PMF) in Nasarawa State. Inspector Usman has been taken into custody as investigations continue into the unauthorized transfer of military-grade ammunition.

Roman Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis is dead. News of his demise filtered in on Monday. Francis died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced. In a post on the social media platform X, the Vatican said that the pontiff died in his residence. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, disclosed that Pope Francis died at 7:35 am on Easter Monday. Speaking at the Casa Santa Marta, Farrell said: "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. "At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. "He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. "With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God." Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Francis was elected pope on March 13, 2013, becoming the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

Super Falcons player, Peace Ogebe is in a lamenting mood over the widespread killings in Benue State. The midfielder, in a post shared via her social media handle, lamented the ceaseless bloodshed ravaging her home state, stating that she’s been unable to sleep in recent days due to the disturbing news filtering in from the region. According to her, "I am just having sleepless nights these days because of what is happening in Benue State. “Like seriously, I can't just sleep. Why all the killing? What is their aim? I keep asking myself this question yet there’s no answer.” While accusing the authorities of not doing enough, she added: "Why is the government quiet over these killings? “Is it that they don't know what to do, or they just intentionally want to be mute.” Benue has remained under severe attacks by herdsmen, with tens of people already killed, many displaced and properties burnt.

Lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana, (SAN) has come hard on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, describing him as the only life bencher in Nigeria who has never handled a case in any trial court or appellate court. Falana spoke in response to Wike, who taunted him “for losing a case, which he had won at the Supreme Court.” He said it was laughable that even though he appeared regularly in domestic and regional courts in Africa,  “Mr Wike dubbed me “a television lawyer”. Falana’s detailed response below: “In a recent media outburst, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, taunted me for losing a case, which he had won at the Supreme Court. Even though I appear regularly in domestic and regional courts in Africa,  Mr Wike dubbed me “a television lawyer”. I did not join issues with him on that occasion because Wike is the only life bencher in Nigeria who has never handled a case in any trial court or appellate court. Another reason for ignoring Wike’s vituperations is that it is no crime if a lawyer loses a case in any court. In other words, only a corrupt lawyer wins all cases in all courts. A couple of days ago, Wike subjected me to another scurrilous attack in a press conference held in Abuja to showcase the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory. In the course of the press conference, he veered off and was alleged to have accused me of lying about the defection status of certain legislators during an appearance on Channels TV. While referring to a recent Supreme Court ruling that addressed the issue of defection, stating, “A few days ago, the Supreme Court settled this matter of defection.” He then said, “If someone of Femi Falana’s calibre can go on national television and lie, it is very serious. Lies can cause a lot of crises.” He expressed concern that such misinformation, especially from a respected legal figure, could escalate tensions if not addressed. Specifically, Wike accused me of lying against the Supreme Court over its decision on the defection of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Contrary to Wike’s assertion, I did not lie against the Supreme Court in respect of the judgment in question. All I said was that the matter of the defection of the 27 legislators was raised suo motu and determined by the eminent justices of the apex court. My comment was based on the undeniable fact that the vexed issue of the defection of the 27 legislators was pending in the Port Harcourt judicial division of the Federal High Court at the material time. In addition, there are video tapes and a sworn affidavit where the 27 legislators had confirmed their defection from the People’s Democratic Party  to the All Progressive Congress. It is public knowledge that Wike had praised the Supreme Court to high heavens and held a thanksgiving service to celebrate the decision on the defection of the 27 legislators. However, he decided to attack me for commenting on the same judgment without any legal justification. I wish to state, without any fear of contradictions, that my fundamental right to criticise the decisions of courts is guaranteed by Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. I would have ignored the minister’s latest gratuitous attack but for the fact that he had recently called on the Body of Benchers to discipline lawyers who had the temerity to criticise the judgments of Nigerian courts. However, unlike Wike, who calls judges names whenever they disagree with his politics of opportunism, I have always criticised the judgments of domestic and regional courts with the utmost decorum and in good faith. While Wike believes that it is a professional anomaly to criticise the decisions of Judges, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has always welcomed the criticism and review of its judgments because the justices believe that they are prone to make mistakes like all mortals. It is undoubtedly clear that Wike is not familiar with the case of Adegoke Motors Limited v Dr Babatunde Adesanya 2 1989 3 NWLR (Pt 109) 250 at 274, where Oputa JSC of blessed memory said,  “We are final not because we are infallible; rather we are infallible because we are final.” About five years ago, the then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, said to lawyers, “As critical stakeholders in the task of justice delivery, you have the responsibility of drawing our attention to where things are going wrong or on the verge of going wrong.”  Justice Muhammad further stated that it would not be out of place for lawyers to subject justices in the country to criticism where necessary as a step to ensuring improvement in the justice delivery system. From time to time, many respected justices commend my criticism of the judgments of courts and the defence of the judiciary. It is on record that at a recent valedictory service held in Abuja, a retiring justice of the Supreme Court referred to one of my critical comments pertaining to the Nigerian Judiciary. In the light of the foregoing, Wike deliberately set out to incite the Supreme Court against me as the allegation levelled against me by him is spurious and tendentious in every material particular. Since he has become the unsolicited defender of the judiciary, I challenge him to report me to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for professional misconduct. No doubt, the decision of the Supreme Court is final on defection of legislators from the political party that sponsored them to another political party. In their wisdom, their lordships said that defection can only be proved with the production of the register of members of political parties. My fear is that this decision will be waived by unpatriotic politicians to justify political prostitution in Nigeria. In the interest of political stability and national morality, I have respectively called on the Supreme Court to continue to rely on the cases of the Attorney-General of the Federation 𝐯. Abubakar (2007) 10 NWLR (PT.1041) 1 at 178, Dapialong v Dariye (2007) 8 NWLR (Pt 1036) 332 and Abegunde 𝐯. Ondo State House of Assembly & Ors (2015) LPELR-24588(SC), where it had been held that the consequence of a defection by a legislator is the automatic loss of his or her seat in the legislative house. Falana (SAN), a lawyer and human rights advocate, writes from Lagos

Contrary to the denial by the Nigeria Police, the Emir of Yashikira, Umoru Seriki, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State says a new terrorist group, 'Mahmuda' is allegedly occupying some parts of the Kwara North Senatorial District and Niger State. He claimed that concerned authorities have abandoned communities under attacks by the terror group. The Emir lamented that "the situation is that we are totally demoralized, we are not happy with what the authorities are saying that there is no presence of terrorists in our domains. "We are not happy and we feel abandoned by the government and left on our own, but as the situation is, we have no choice than to continue to defend ourselves.” "It is very unfortunate that we have complained about this thing earlier and nobody seems to pay attention to our plight," DAILY POST quoted him as saying. The attacks, according to the traditional ruler, are not only in Baruten and Kaiama local governments of Kwara state, but also Borgu Kingdom in Niger State. Seriki, while confirming last week's attacks by the terrorists, disclosed that the security vehicle bought by the people for operations by the vigilantes was bombed by the terrorists. "We are just lucky that our vigilantes survived the attacks though some suffered some bruises. "The casualties we suffered were not actually 15, but we suffered some casualties and the terrorists also suffered some casualties. "So that is the situation, what the social media is actually reporting is the truth, we are just praying to God to help and protect us in the current situation we are facing," he added. The Kwara State Police Command last week refuted the alleged emergence of a terror group named 'Mahmuda' within Kaiama and Baruten Local Government Areas of the state. The command also categorically dismissed the claim that 15 vigilantes have been killed by the terror group, describing it as false and devoid of any factual basis. A statement by the spokesperson of the command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in Ilorin on Saturday, said comprehensive and continuous threat assessments, intelligence surveillance, and tactical reconnaissance operations in the said areas have yielded no evidence of insurgent activity, coordinated terrorist formations, or mass casualty incidents as described.

A security expert, Bulama Bukarti has raised the alarm over prominent activities of Boko Haram members on social media. Bukarti, a senior fellow of the Extremism Policy Unit at Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, said the terrorists were not prominent on TikTok and other platforms where they host live sessions. He said this while appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today. “Right now, when you go on TikTok, you will see Boko Haram members’ accounts, "They host live programmes and live shows where they propagate Boko Haram’s ideology. "They justify the group’s violence, which they do in the Hausa language. They field questions from the audience and answer comments that are written. “Even this week, there was a Boko Haram member who posted a 10-minute video on TikTok attacking me for speaking up against the escalating violence of the group. But it’s not just that. "We know that Boko Haram now operates unmanned drones. They surveil military formations in the northeast with unmanned drones, “What we have seen over the past three months was over seven Boko Haram attacks on super camps, on Nigerian military super camps. "In Sabon Gari and lots of other places, they overran the camps. They dispersed the military, killed some, captured others and stole weapons, food, medicine and other equipment from those areas and fled into the bush.”

An activist and two-time governorship candidate in Anambra State, Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo has asked the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to investigate the incumbent Governor, Professor Charles Soludo and three of his appointees, for receiving a donation of N30 million from 60 support groups, backing the Governor for the forthcoming November 8 governorship election in the state. The money was meant to cover the governorship nomination fee of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) for Governor Soludo's re-election ticket. Recall that on April 5, 2025, the support groups under the aegis of All Soludo Support Groups (ASSG) presented a dummy payment bank cheque of N30 million to Soludo, during the "APGA for Governor Charles Soludo’s second tenure rally" at the International Conference Centre Awka. According to the donors, comprising political office holders, senatorial aspirants, government officials and other key stakeholders, this gesture showcased their commitment solidarity and trust in his leadership. But in his petition dated April 14, 2025, Okonkwo accused Soludo, the Commissioner for Finance, Anambra state, Mr. Izuchukwu Okafor, Special Adviser on Political Matters, Dr. Obi Obiogbolu and Chukwuemeka Julius, the governor’s nominee and team leader of Soludo Fans Club, of breaching the mandatory provisions of the Code of Conduct for public officers under the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). The petitioner also accused the aforementioned public officers of fraudulent misrepresentation, money laundering and abuse of public trust. In addition, he alleged that the action of the Governor and his appointees, violated their oaths of office as public officers, not to allow their personal interest to influence their conduct or official decisions, to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, and abide by the Code of Conduct for public officers, among other commitments. He urged the bureau to urgently investigate the allegations against Governor Soludo and his appointees, to protect the integrity of governance in the country. A copy of the petition, which was sighted by this reporter at the weekend, read: “Complaint against Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo (Governor of Anambra State) (Public Officer) pursuant to paragraphs 1, 6 (1), 8, 9 & 13, Code of Conduct for Public Officers for committing: “Acts prohibited by this Code by himself and through nominees, trustees or other agents in flagrant breach of the community reading of paragraphs 1, 6 (1), 8 and 9 “to wit: “1: A public officer shall not put himself in a position where his personal interest conflicts with his duties and responsibilities. “6 (1): A public officer shall not ask for or accept property or benefits of any kind for himself or any other person, on account of anything done or omitted to be done by him in the discharge of his duties. “8: No person shall offer a public officer any property, gift or benefit of any kind as an inducement or bribe for the granting of any favour or the discharge in his favour of the public officer’s duties. “9: A public officer shall not do or direct to be done, in abuse of his office, any arbitrary act, prejudicial to the rights of any other person, knowing that knowing that such act is unlawful or contrary to any government policy.” Highlighting briefly the facts of the petition, Okonkwo noted that Dr. Obi Obiogbolu, the Special Adviser on Political Matter who was among the notable attendees at the event, described the gathering as a strategic move to build momentum for Soludo’s re-election campaign. According to the petitioner, Mr. Izuchukwu Okafor, the Commissioner for Finance and convener of Solution Youth Movement of Nigeria (SYMON) praised Governor Soludo’s fiscal prudence and governance, while Chukwuemeka Julius, the governor’s nominee and team leader of the Soludo Fans Club, expressed pride in the administration’s growing popularity and development initiatives. "Anambra youths also showed their support, making a donation of N10.5 million for Soludo’s re-election,” he stated. He further supported his petition with the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, containing the Oath of Office of Governor of a State and the Oath of Office of Vice-President, Deputy Governor, Minister, Commissioner or Special Adviser. He added: “Further reliance in support of this petition shall be the “Seventh Schedule: “The Oath of Office of Governor of a State: “That I will not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct or my official decisions; that I will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria; that I will abide by the Code of Conduct contained in the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that in all circumstances, I will do right to all manner of people, according to the law without fear or favour, affection or ill-will; that I will not directly or indirectly, communicate or reveal to any person any matter which shall be brought under my consideration or shall become known to me as the Governor of ……state, expect as may be required for the due discharge of my duties as Governor, and that I will devote myself to the service and well-being of the people of Nigeria.” Okonkwo prayed the CCB Chairman to urgently investigate his complaint against Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo and his nominees/agents to protect the integrity of governance in Nigeria.

Ahead of the 2027 presidential election, a former Special Adviser on Political Matters to President  Bola Tinubu, North Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has declared that the Northern region will no longer be deceived into voting based on ethnicity or religion. It could be recalled that religion played a major role in the build up to the 2023 presidential election, with President Bola Tinubu, then candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, running Muslim-Muslim ticket despite public outcry. Tinubu later won the election. However, in a video interview he granted in Hausa language alongside a former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Usman Yusuf, Baba-Ahmed disclosed that the North will in the next six months unveil their preferred candidate for the 2027 presidential election. According to him, no politician can win the presidency in 2027 without the support of the region, just as he bemoaned the state of the nation. He said, “In the next six months, the North will decide where it stands. If the rest of the country wants to join us, fine. If not, we will go our own way. One thing is clear: nobody can become president of Nigeria without northern support. “We want a government that understands our problems and can address them. After Buhari’s eight years, we became wiser. Now, we are in another government, and we are still crying. Is crying all we know how to do?” While lamenting the challenges facing the North, Baba-Ahmed said: “Before Buhari became president, Boko Haram was bombing mosques, churches, Abuja, and Lagos. That was a time Northerners had to unite. "Today, no politician can just show up and expect Northerners to fall in line. Who are you?” "If they plan to rig the election, they should be careful. It won’t be good for Nigeria. The North is watching, elders, masses, and interest groups will soon say enough is enough. The injustice and sidelining must stop," he warned. “We are tired of being deceived into voting based on religion or ethnicity. That era is over. We just want a right leader, we just want someone who will solve our problems,” he said. NATIONAL POST reports that ahead of the 2027 presidential election, there is likelihood that President Tinubu will face the toughest challenge from the Northern party of the country. There is mounting opposition against Tinubu from key Northern leaders, including former Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai. Senator Ali Ndume has been speaking out strongly, accusing the president of lopsided appointments.

Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former Special Adviser on Political Matters to President  Bola Tinubu has disclosed that the North will in the next six months unveil their preferred candidate for the 2027 presidential election. He said this in a video interview he granted in Hausa language alongside a former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Usman Yusuf. According to him, no politician can win the presidency in 2027 without the support of the region, just as he bemoaned the state of the nation. He said, “In the next six months, the North will decide where it stands. If the rest of the country wants to join us, fine. If not, we will go our own way. One thing is clear: nobody can become president of Nigeria without northern support. “We want a government that understands our problems and can address them. After Buhari’s eight years, we became wiser. Now, we are in another government, and we are still crying. Is crying all we know how to do?” While lamenting the challenges facing the North, Baba-Ahmed said: “Before Buhari became president, Boko Haram was bombing mosques, churches, Abuja, and Lagos. That was a time Northerners had to unite. "Today, no politician can just show up and expect Northerners to fall in line. Who are you?” "If they plan to rig the election, they should be careful. It won’t be good for Nigeria. The North is watching, elders, masses, and interest groups will soon say enough is enough. The injustice and sidelining must stop," he warned. “We are tired of being deceived into voting based on religion or ethnicity. That era is over. We just want a right leader, we just want someone who will solve our problems,” he said. NATIONAL POST reports that ahead of the 2027 presidential election, there is likelihood that President Tinubu will face toughest challenge from the Northern party of the country. There is mounting opposition against Tinubu from key Northern leaders, including former Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai. Senator Ali Ndume has been speaking out strongly, accusing the president of lopsided appointments.

Operatives of the Nigeria Police have rescued 12 kidnap victims in a series of successful operations. While one suspected bandit was neutralised in the process, others were arrested. The raid was confirmed on Sunday by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer. According to him, "These operations, exemplified in several states across the country, have led to the arrest of 3 suspected terrorists, recovery of significant amounts of cash, arms and ammunition, and rescued of kidnapped victims "In Imo State, operatives of the Force have sustained their operational momentum against criminal elements threatening public safety. "On April 17, 2025, at approximately 1:02 am, police operatives in synergy with local vigilante groups acted on credible intelligence and stormed a suspected IPOB/ESN hideout on Cameron Street, Ubahu, in Okigwe LGA. "On sighting the operatives, the suspected terrorists opened fire, resulting in a gun battle during which three suspects identified as Onyekaba Ikenna Innocent ‘m’ 21yrs, Ugwu Ikenna ‘m’ 31yrs, and Ofor Kasarachi ‘m’ 37yrs were arrested. "Recovered from the scene were one AK-47 rifle, two pump-action guns, eighteen live cartridges, mobile devices, laptops, and N10.3 million in cash suspected to be proceeds of kidnapping for ransom." He said in another development in Edo State, following the news of the abduction of 10 students who were on their way to Backcock University for the annual GYC Africa conference on the 16th of April 2025, police operatives of the State Command immediately picked up the trail of these kidnappers, and upon encounter, engaged them in a fierce gun duel. "One of the kidnappers was neutralized in the process, and the 10 victims were rescued unhurt.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Enugu State chapter, weekend, vowed that it will block the state Gov, Dr Peter Mbah from decamping to the party. This is as no less than 150 members of the Labour Party (LP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defected to the APC. Speaking while receiving the defectors, during the expanded stakeholders meeting of the party, at the party Secretariat in Enugu, the state chairman of APC, Chief Ugochukwu Agballah, vowed that the APC would defeat the PDP government under Mbah in 2027. APC accused the PDP government of failure to prioritize the security of lives and property of the people, alleging that killer herdsmen have turned Uzo-Uwani LGA, Isi-uzo LGA and other parts of the state into a killing fields as they rape, kill and destroy several communities without let or hindrance. Among the decampees to APC were: former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs in Enugu State, Barr Peter Okonkwo, who joined from PDP; Hon Nonso Ochi, LP House of Assembly candidate for Awgu North Constituency in the 2023 election; Hon Onyeka Chukwuedo, PDP House of Assembly aspirant, Awgu South Constituency in the 2023 election; Chief John Edeh, PDP House of Rep Aspirant from Nkanu West LGA; and Chief Tony Chigbo, former Chairman of Uzo-Uwani LGA and former Member of Enugu State House of Assembly under PDP, among others. Reading a communique at the end of the meeting, the APC State chairman, Agballah, said the party would no longer tolerate indiscipline, warning that anyone caught indulging in anti-party would be suspended. He attributed the failure of APC to win political positions in Enugu State to activities of those he described as paid moles, adding that efforts are on the top gear to weed out the moles. While hinting APC was fully committed to takeover the Lion Building (Enugu's Government House) in 2027, Agballah disclosed that the party has a competent and capable candidate to takeover from Governor Peter Mbah, who he noted has misgoverned the state. "The meeting welcomes new members who joined our party and assure them of equal treatment with other members. "The leaders note with excitement that our party has witnessed significant growth with influx of new members in the last one year. "The number of new decampees that we received today is evidence of such influx across the local government areas and wards," he said. Agballah decried rising kidnapping and killing in Isi-uzo and Uzo-Uwani Local Government Areas in the state in recent time, especially along the Ugwogo-Nike-Opi-Nsukka road. "The leaders condemned the apparent inaction of the state government and its strenuous efforts to suppress the news of the killings. "The party declared that the Peter Mbah-led government has failed in its primary duty of protecting lives and property of citizens of Enugu state. "They wondered why the state prefers to engage in deceit of showcasing what they call Command and Control Center that could not resolve security breaches beyond 10 kilometers radius from the capital city. "The huge population of the citizens in the rural areas are left at the mercy of killer herdsmen and other criminals. "The stakeholders endorsed the suspension of Senator Chukwuka Utazi and mandated the State Executive Committee to ratify the suspension in her next meeting and forward same to the Zonal leadership of the party," Agballah said. One of the decampees, Mr. Peter Okonkwo, promised to collapse the PDP structures in Nsukka zone in the forthcoming election, adding that he would make APC popular in the zone.

Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, has urged President Bola Tinubu to address Nigeria’s deepening crises of insecurity, hunger, and despair. The outspoken Bishop said this in his Easter message. Kukah likened the state of the nation to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, stating that Nigerians have been “dangling and bleeding on this cross of pain and mindless suffering for too long.” While bemoaning the level of suffering and challenges in the country, he told Tinubu, “Mr. President, bring us down from this cross of evil." “We all admit that you neither erected this cross nor effected our collective crucifixion. Nonetheless, you are now in a position to bring us relief. “A culture of cynicism and self-doubt over our capacity to secure peace for ourselves pervades our land," he added. Kukah expressed deep concern over the worsening state of national security, warning that “marauders, murderers, savages, and ravenous predators” threaten to overrun the country. “Often, we come across people who are discouraged, pessimistic and cynical about the future. The road to our collective discouragement in Nigeria has been laid by these forces of darkness. Mr. President, immediately rid our dear country of them," he added. The Bishop also criticized the persistent hunger and economic hardship plaguing millions of citizens, calling for food security to be recognized as a fundamental human right. “Hunger, sickness, and desolation stalk the land. We still believe removing fuel subsidies was the right move, but Nigerians must now see tangible benefits. “Mere palliative distribution diminishes the dignity of citizens. Mr. President, bring us down from this painful cross of hunger,” he stated. Referencing past statements by political figures about enabling insecurity to achieve political goals, Kukah lamented how the situation has deteriorated into a full-blown crisis. “Some of our public officers confessed that they brought our current killers into the country to gain power. "Today, that strategy has grown into a cancer of insecurity and violence threatening the very foundation of our country,” he said. He warned that bandits and kidnappers have become entrenched in everyday life, turning Nigeria into a nation gripped by fear and lawlessness. “Kidnapping is now a dog whistle for undermining the structure of our country. We now hang on the cross at the mercy of these forces of darkness. "Mr. President, please bring us down from this cross of insecurity.” Bishop Kukah further challenged President Tinubu to lead with courage, justice, and compassion, calling on Nigerians to unite and restore the nation’s lost hope. “We are the light of the world, a city set on a hill,” he said, urging collective effort to push back the darkness. “Is the persistence of insecurity a reflection of the incapacity of our armed forces, or are some benefitting from prolonging this crisis? Mr. President, step up, get to the finishing line, and bring us down from this cross of shame,” Kukah admonished.

Days after the Dangote Refinery reduced petrol price, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPLC has followed suit. It could be recalled that Dangote Refinery last week slashed the ex-depot price of petrol to N835 per litre from N865. The NNPCL has now toed the same line, reducing its price from N950 to N935 in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The recent price adjustments are in connection to the downward slope in the global price of crude, which was attributed to the sweeping economic policies of United States President, Donald Trump. Nigerians have been made to pay more for petrol since coming on board by President Bola Tinubu, with petrol selling at over N1300 per litre. However, the price has been moving downwards.

A communal clash between two Benue and Ebonyi communities has claimed at least two persons, and the disappearance of several others. The incident occurred in Otsukputu community, Ezaa, in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State on Friday. The Ezza Ezekuna Benue Development Association, EEBDA, in a statement on Saturday, identified the victims as Mr Jude Nweke and Mrs Nwankwo Umanyi. The President-General of EEBDA, Perpetual Nkechi Okafor, and the chairman of the association’s board of trustees, Chief Ogbuefi Nweke Linus Chinedu, who both signed the statement, strongly condemned the attack and called for immediate government intervention. “We are calling on the Benue State governor, the Inspector-General of Police, and all relevant security agencies to urgently intervene and halt the ongoing violence against our people. “It is imperative to establish security camps in the affected areas to protect lives and property and restore peace in Ado LGA.” The association also appealed to non-governmental organisations and civil society actors to lend their voices and resources towards addressing the growing humanitarian crisis in the region. The latest incident marks another chapter in the persistent communal clashes that have plagued parts of Benue and neighbouring Ebonyi State, as tensions between the Effium and Ezza communities continue to escalate, claiming lives and displacing families. Several efforts made in the past to end the clashes have not yielded results. The latest development comes amid the killing of several persons in Benue by suspected herdsmen.

The Police in Kogi State have confirmed that a man and a woman died at an apartment in the Ankpa Local Government Area of the state. It said an investigation was ongoing to confirm the circumstances surrounding the death. The development was confirmed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP William Aya on Saturday. He gave the names of the deceased persons as Sheriff Salifu and Blessing Adama, who were both from Ankpa. Aya said, “One Salisu Ibrahim from Alo in Ankpa came to the station about 12 pm, where he reported that his tenant, one Sheriff Salifu, did not come out of his room as usual at about 09:31 am. “So, the brother to the deceased entered the room through the ceiling and met his brother and one Blessing Adama of Ojogobi Road Ankpa lying lifeless in the room. Both deceased were seen naked.” Meanwhile, it is unclear whether the deceased were couples, but both were naked when their lifeless bodies were discovered in the room.

Prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, may be subjected to a mandatory drug test, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency is advocating. Chairman of the NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), who spoke during a ‘Training the Trainer’ event, organised by NDLEA in partnership with Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries in Abuja on Saturday, said the agency is tackling drug abuse by promoting drug testing in universities, communities, and among families. Represented by Mrs Ngozi Madubuike, NDLEA’s Director of Drug Demand Reduction, Marwa said drug tests at NYSC camps would help deter substance use. He explained that the tests would also enable timely support and intervention for those who test positive for drugs during orientation. The programme is part of the War Against Drug Abuse campaign, aimed at reducing drug demand and building stronger support networks for youths. The policy has already been adopted by some universities and state governments and is gradually gaining wider acceptance. NDLEA supplies affordable test kits to schools and assigns trained officers to carry out drug testing procedures. The agency is pushing for drug test requirements in other sectors, including public service, in spite of some opposition. “If youths know camps include drug tests, they’ll avoid it. The goal is early help for those who need it,” PUNCH quoted Marwa as saying. He emphasised that urgent collective action is needed to address the rising trend of drug abuse in the country.

President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, Most Reverend Lucius Ugorji has lamented that Nigerians are under siege as insecurity worsens in the country. The cleric stated this in his Easter message in Owerri the Imo State capital. NATIONAL POST reports that in the last few days, Nigerians have witnessed wide-scale killings and maiming, especially in Plateau and Benue States. Ugorji said the continued kidnap for ransom and gruesome killings of innocent citizens by criminals portends that the country is under siege. According to the Church leader, “We are celebrating Easter this year in an atmosphere that breathes pessimism and despair. “The general insecurity of life and property is heightened by the rising wave of kidnapping for ransom, and the mindless slaughtering of innocent citizens by criminal gangs. “We seem to be a nation under siege. No place seems safe: our homes, places of business, our highways and even the sacred precincts of places of worship. “Government’s lack of political will to address the rising criminality across the nation, is pushing the populace to resort to self-help to defend their lives and sources of livelihood.”

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has again come hard on President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of lacking competence and ideas in tackling the security challenges in Nigeria. Atiku, a former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), spoke in reaction to the wanton killings and destruction of properties in Plateau and Benue states. He accused Tinubu’s presidency of indifference to the killings, adding that the President chose to "galvanize in Europe" while unable to solve Nigeria's insecurity challenges He wrote: "The Tinubu administration has proven, time and again, to be utterly incapable, wholly incompetent, and completely devoid of any coherent ideas for tackling Nigeria’s deepening security crisis. "This is not just my position — it is a growing consensus among political opposition leaders, respected security experts, and even members within the ruling party who, though too timid to speak publicly, confess this uncomfortable truth behind closed doors. "The blood of innocent Nigerians continues to be spilled with appalling regularity—most recently in the Logo and Gbagir communities of Ukum LGA in Benue State. Yet, the Tinubu presidency remains disturbingly indifferent, displaying neither urgency nor the basic decency of public empathy. "Yet President Bola Tinubu, incapable of solving Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, chooses instead to gallivant across Europe — governing Nigeria in absentia as if from a holiday perch."