News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) has issued directive to all its branches nationwide to conclude church programmes by 8:00 pm and suspend vigils and overnight meetings until further notice.  This followed the escalating security challenges across the country that led to kidnapping and mass abduction of school pupils especially in Oyo and Borno State recently.  The directive, which was contained in an internal memo dated June 5, 2026, and signed by the Director of Administration at the church’s international headquarters in Lagos, Temitope A. Olawale, cited rising security crisis as reason for the order.  The church argued that the decision was reached in the interest of the safety and well-being of its members in view of the daunting security challenges in the country. It reads: "All services, meetings and other church activities must henceforth end not later than 8:00 pm. "Vigils and overnight prayer programmes have bee...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi has promised Gombe residents that the insecurity bedeviling Nigeria will fizzle out soon under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He stated this at the flag off of Gombe–Biu Super Highway, a major component of the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Biu– Maiduguri dualisation project. Umahi described the project as another demonstration of President Tinubu's commitment to infrastructure development and national unity, just as he commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for transforming the State. He disclosed that the Federal Government had expanded the scope of the Gombe-Biu section following requests from the state government, assuring the residents that construction activities would begin almost immediately. “We promised you that within the next 30 days, you will see real work on this highway,” he added. According to him, the Gombe-Biu section forms part of the approximately 700-kilometre Fourth Legacy Project...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Following months of consultations among the Executive, National Assembly and security authorities, tangible progress has been made towards establishing state police, with a constitutional amendment expected soon.  The Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila disclosed this on Thursday while briefing State House Correspondents after a consultative meeting on state police convened by the Presidency at the State House, Abuja.    Gbajabiamila said that deliberations on the proposed state police framework began several months ago following a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, adding that the process has gained considerable traction.  He explained that establishing state police requires careful consideration of constitutional and legal issues and cannot be implemented hastily.  "We started deliberations in the last three or four months on how to go about the establishment of state police as directed by Mr Preside...

Suspected gunmen have abducted the sister of a former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. This is happening barely 18 days after bandits kidnapped pupils and teachers from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School at Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, on May 15, 2026.  The family of former minister confirmed the abduction, adding that Mrs. Olaide John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons were kidnapped by the gunmen on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. A statement issued by Adelabu’s media aide, Femi Awogboro, revealed that the victims were kidnapped at about 7:30 a.m. while Mrs. John-Paul was taking her children to school, leaving the family in distress. Mrs. John-Paul, who is the youngest of five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu, reportedly retired voluntarily from her career at First Bank Pension Custodian in 2025 before relocating to Ibadan w...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Abuja after the Eid-el-Kabir holiday in Lagos, during which he undertook a series of important political, governmental, and national engagements. Tinubu, whose plane touched down at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at exactly 5:17 pm, was received by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu; and other senior government officials.  During the holiday period, the President received the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, and several groups for the traditional Sallah homage, including the leadership of the Senate, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Members of the Nigeria Governors' Forum under the leadership of its Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; APC stakeholders from Oyo State, including its governorsh...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Tinubu has praised the Nigerian Navy for combatting crude oil theft, piracy, illegal fishing, maritime smuggling, and other transnational crimes in the Gulf of Guinea. He specifically lauded the Navy’s sustained efforts against crude oil theft and maritime criminality, noting that the operations have significantly boosted oil production, improved national revenue, and strengthened investor confidence in Nigeria’s maritime sector. Tinubu spoke on Monday at the 2026 International Fleet Review held at the Eko Atlantic Waterfront, Lagos, as part of events to commemorate the Navy’s 70th Anniversary.   He also commissioned three Nigerian Naval vessels: NNS Oloibiri, NNS Mambila, and NNS Gurara. "Beyond the maritime domain, I also commend the Nigerian Navy for its contributions to counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations across the country. The courage and professionalism demonstrated by the Special Boat Service in executing c...