New Post Africa

Category: Cityscope

  • Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu commends peaceful APC Southeast zonal congress

    Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu commends peaceful APC Southeast zonal congress

    ENUGU, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 25, 2026: Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has praised the peaceful conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Southeast zonal congress held in Enugu, where party officials for the zone were elected.

    The congress, which took place in the Enugu State capital, brought together APC members and leaders from across the South East. It followed earlier congresses at the ward, local government, and state levels.

    In a statement, Kalu noted that the outcomes were collectively adopted as a true reflection of the will of party members. He emphasized that the zonal congress proceeded through the consensus option, in line with Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act.

    While congratulating the newly elected zonal officials, Kalu commended Southeast governors for their commitment to the success of the exercise. He highlighted the seamless coordination, calm atmosphere, and orderliness witnessed throughout the process, describing it as evidence of unity and cohesion across the region.

    “The goal of 2027 remains within reach. With sustained unity, dedication, and collective resolve, victory is assured,” Kalu declared.

    The next major event for the APC is the National Convention scheduled for this weekend, where it is expected that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be formally adopted as the party’s candidate for the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

  • Police arrest four suspected cultists, recover firearms in Edo State

    Police arrest four suspected cultists, recover firearms in Edo State

    BENIN CITY, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 25, 2026: The Edo State Police Command has arrested four suspected cultists and recovered firearms during a coordinated operation in Uromi.

    According to a statement issued Wednesday by ASP Eno Ikoedem, Police Public Relations Officer, the operation was carried out on March 24, 2026, at about 0200hrs, following credible intelligence. The suspects were identified as Solomon Oboigbe (27), Fidelis Omale (26), Julius Oseyomon (64), and Abraham Erumosele Momo (54), all residents of Uromi.

    During the raid, police operatives recovered four English pump-action guns, nine live cartridges, and three expended cartridges. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are members of the Eiye Confraternity and had obtained the firearms illegally.

    The Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, commended the operatives for their professionalism and swift response. He reiterated the Command’s commitment to intensifying its crackdown on cultism, illegal firearms, and other criminal activities across Edo State.

    Following diligent investigation, the suspects have been arraigned in court for prosecution.

    The Command urged members of the public to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information, assuring that all reports will be treated with strict confidentiality.

    “The Edo State Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents,” the statement concluded.

  • Tragedy on Apapa–Oshodi Expressway: Dispatch Rider killed by tanker, driver flees 

    Tragedy on Apapa–Oshodi Expressway: Dispatch Rider killed by tanker, driver flees 

    LAGOS, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 25, 2026: A dispatch rider lost his life in a fatal crash on the ever-busy Apapa–Oshodi Expressway in Lagos after being struck by a diesel-laden tanker truck. The driver fled the scene immediately after the accident, leaving chaos and grief in his wake.

    The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) responded swiftly, securing the accident site under the Cele Bridge corridor. The tanker, bearing plate number RBC 38 XF, violently rammed into the dispatch motorcycle, trapping the rider beneath its weight. Eyewitnesses confirmed that the victim died instantly.

    In a statement signed by Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment at LASTMA, on Wednesday, officials stationed along the axis acted with precision, cordoning off the crash site with cones and caution tape to prevent secondary collisions and protect other commuters.

    “The offending tanker was subsequently impounded by LASTMA officials, although the driver absconded upon perceiving the gravity of the incident,” the statement read.

    Operatives of the Ijesha Police Division later reinforced security, taking custody of the deceased rider, the impounded tanker, and the damaged motorcycle for thorough investigation and prosecution. The remains of the victim were conveyed to a morgue in Yaba.

    LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, describing the incident as deeply distressing. He urged the Police to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the root cause of the crash and ensure justice is served.

  • IBEDC announces routine maintenance, Kwara communities to face power outage

    IBEDC announces routine maintenance, Kwara communities to face power outage

    IBADAN, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 25, 2026: The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc (IBEDC) has issued a formal notice of routine maintenance for the Kwara Region, announcing that the exercise will result in temporary power outages across several communities under its jurisdiction.

    In a statement released on Wednesday, IBEDC explained that the scheduled maintenance will affect the Omu Aran 33KV, Egbe 33KV, Oro-Ago 33KV, Isanlu Isin 33KV, and Landmark 33KV feeders. Consequently, the following communities are expected to experience interruptions in electricity supply: Landmark University, Omu Aran, Oke Agbede, Ipetu, Rore, Aran Orin, Ora-Igbomina, Ilofa, Owa, Osi, Eruku, Odo Owa, Odo Ere, Olla, Omugo, Thomas Adewumi University, Isin, Owu Isin, Ijara Isin, Oke Onigbin and surrounding environs on Thursday, March 26, 2026.

    The company emphasized that its technical team is already mobilized to ensure that power supply is restored as quickly as possible once the maintenance work is completed. IBEDC further reassured its customers of its commitment to improving service delivery and expressed sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused to its numerous consumers across the affected areas.

  • Nigeria Police begins Strategic Leadership Retreat for senior officers

    Nigeria Police begins Strategic Leadership Retreat for senior officers

    ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 25, 2026: Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu has declared open the Strategic Leadership Retreat for Deputy Inspectors-General (DIGs) and Assistant Inspectors-General (AIGs), marking another step in the ongoing institutional transformation of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

    The two-day retreat, hosted at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, is organized by the Police Reform Secretariat in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

    According to a statement by Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, the retreat builds on reforms under the Supporting Police Accountability and Transformation (SPAT) program, funded by the UNDP and the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO). Professor Olu Ogunsakin, Head of the Police Reform Secretariat and Director-General of the National Institute for Policy Studies (NIPS), highlighted key achievements awaiting implementation, including a fully revised national recruit curriculum—the first since 1968—and the newly gazetted Nigeria Police Regulations 2025, which establish a modern, rights-based framework.

    In his remarks, IGP Disu emphasized that the retreat is central to his reform agenda, urging senior officers to lead with vision, accountability, and a commitment to inspiring public confidence. He stressed that success would be measured by improvements in operational efficiency, discipline, and respect for human rights across all commands.

    The retreat features technical sessions on evidence-based budgeting, community policing strategies, and digital transformation, underscoring the NPF’s commitment to becoming a people-oriented institution guided by the rule of law and transparent operational protocols.

    As the retreat continues through March 25, the Nigeria Police Force expressed appreciation to the UNDP and international partners for their support in strengthening Nigeria’s policing ecosystem.

  • Independent panel exposes corruption, violence in Nigerian Correctional Service

    Independent panel exposes corruption, violence in Nigerian Correctional Service

    ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 25, 2026: An Independent Investigative Panel on alleged corruption and other violations within the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has presented its findings to stakeholders in Abuja.

    The panel, established by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, began its presentation on Tuesday at the opening of a two-day stakeholders’ engagement.

    Tunji-Ojo commended the panel for its professionalism and diligence in investigating allegations of corruption, abuse of power, torture, cruelty, and inhumane treatment in correctional facilities. He explained that the panel was set up following serious allegations of misconduct after the arrest of Idris Olarenwaju, popularly known as Bobrisky.

    The minister noted that the findings revealed systemic challenges requiring urgent reforms, including corruption, operational inefficiencies, poor welfare conditions, human rights concerns, and institutional gaps.

    “Officers found culpable will face appropriate disciplinary and legal consequences in line with existing laws and regulations,” he said.

    He stressed that the meeting was not a ceremonial exercise but an opportunity for reflection and constructive dialogue.

    “Effective collaboration among stakeholders is essential for sustainable reform. Your insights and recommendations will guide the implementation of the panel’s findings,” Tunji-Ojo added.

    He emphasized that reforming correctional centres must go beyond sanctions to strengthening institutions, improving standards, enhancing officer training, and aligning facilities with international best practices.

    Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, praised the initiative, describing NCoS as central to criminal justice administration.

    “Any shadow of corruption or abuse of power within its walls strikes at the very core of our social contract,” he said.

    Fagbemi highlighted the importance of legislative frameworks such as the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019 in addressing systemic challenges and ensuring transparency, accountability, and compliance with human rights standards.

    NCoS Controller-General, Sylvester Nwakuche, welcomed the panel’s work, stressing that accountability—not condemnation—was the goal.

    “The findings, even if difficult, must be confronted. The service is not defined by its failures but by its response to them,” he said.

    He added that most officers serve with professionalism and sacrifice, and urged that the misconduct of a few should not overshadow the dedication of the majority.

  • One dead, others injured as suspected terrorists’ landmine explodes on Kwara expressway

    One dead, others injured as suspected terrorists’ landmine explodes on Kwara expressway

    ILORIN, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 24, 2026 — The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the death of one man in a landmine explosion on March 23 along the Kiama–Woro–Borgu Road in Kaiama Local Government Area in Nigeria’s north-central.

    The IED, suspected to have been planted by terrorists, struck a commercial vehicle travelling from Kiama to Borgu in Niger State. The driver, identified as Zubairu Inuwa, lost his life instantly. A passenger, Nafisat Mohammed, a nursing mother, sustained injuries and was evacuated for treatment, while her infant child survived unharmed.

    Police spokesperson SP Adetoun Ejire‑Adeyemi said operatives of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD‑CBRN) confirmed the blast was caused by landmines planted to disrupt clearance operations in the area.

    Commissioner of Police CP Ojo Adekimi expressed sorrow over the incident, offering condolences to the victim’s family and wishing the injured a speedy recovery. He ordered additional security deployment, with surveillance and monitoring intensified to protect residents and road users.

    The Command assured the public that the situation is under close watch and urged citizens to remain calm while reporting suspicious activities to security agencies.

  • Police arrest suspects delivering human parts to Pastor and Alfa in Ibadan

    Police arrest suspects delivering human parts to Pastor and Alfa in Ibadan

    IBADAN, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 24, 2026 — Police in Oyo State have arrested three suspects for unlawful possession of suspected human parts. The suspects, riding an unregistered Bajaj Boxer motorcycle, were intercepted during a routine stop‑and‑search operation in the Adekile area of Agugu. A package containing flesh, believed to be human intestine, was recovered from the pillion rider.

    DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, Police Public Relations Officer, said in a statement that the pillion rider, identified as Oyategbe Joseph of Ibadan, confessed to obtaining the parts from an unknown individual at Oritaperin. He admitted selling them to two men: Alfa Onaolapo Taiwo, 46, and Pastor Ayodele Taiwo, 55.

    Acting on this intelligence, police swiftly arrested both clerics, who confessed to purchasing the suspected human parts. The Commissioner of Police has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for discreet investigation, after which all suspects will be charged in court.

    All three suspects remain in custody. The Command reassured the public that necessary measures are being taken to ensure justice and urged residents to remain vigilant. Citizens were encouraged to report any information on the possession or sale of human parts to the nearest police station, stressing that community cooperation is vital for maintaining law and order.

  • Ikeja Electric explains recent drop in power supply in parts of Lagos

    Ikeja Electric explains recent drop in power supply in parts of Lagos

    LAGOS, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 24, 2026 — Nigeria’s power distribution company, Ikeja Electric, has issued a public notice to customers explaining the reason behind the recent decline in electricity supply to homes and businesses.

    In the notice dated March 23, 2026, the company clarified that the ongoing reduction in supply is primarily due to a nationwide drop in power generation, caused by limited gas availability to thermal power plants. This challenge has significantly reduced the energy available on the national grid and, consequently, the allocation to Ikeja Electric and other distribution companies across the country.

    As a result, the volume of electricity available for distribution has been severely impacted, leading to noticeable shortages in many communities. The company emphasised that the situation is beyond its direct control, as distribution companies can only share the power allocated to them from the national grid.

    While tendering its apologies for the inconvenience caused, Ikeja Electric expressed appreciation for customers’ patience and understanding during this period. It reiterated its commitment to distributing the available power as efficiently and equitably as possible, ensuring that no area is disproportionately affected.

    The company also assured customers that it is working closely with relevant stakeholders in the power sector to monitor developments and provide timely updates. Ikeja Electric reaffirmed that once gas supply improves and generation levels rise, customers will begin to experience better service delivery.

  • Governor Umo Eno inspects Victor Attah Airport upgrade, driving Uyo toward West Africa’s emerging aviation hub

    Governor Umo Eno inspects Victor Attah Airport upgrade, driving Uyo toward West Africa’s emerging aviation hub

    UYO, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 24, 2026 — Pastor Umo Eno, Governor of Akwa Ibom State in Southern Nigeria, has inspected the ongoing remodelling and upgrade works at the Victor Attah International Airport, which is being prepared to commence international flight operations.

    Following the tour, Governor Eno expressed satisfaction with the steady progress achieved by the contractors. He noted: “We are putting all critical requirements of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority in place to ensure a smooth and successful take-off. While a few gaps have been identified, steps are already being taken to address them and fast-track completion.”

    The governor commended the contractors for their diligence and praised the officials of the state-owned airline, Ibom Air, for their strategic contributions. He described the project as a landmark effort in transforming Victor Attah International Airport into a major aviation hub in West Africa.

    Governor Eno further urged the Ibom Air team to continue deploying their expertise as the state works toward positioning the airport as a regional aviation powerhouse, emphasising that the benefits will extend beyond Akwa Ibom to the wider subregion.