Author: Gloria Lamar Johnson

THE Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has revealed that 27,416 inmates were convicted across custodial centres nationwide in 2025, while a significantly larger number, 50,703 inmates remain behind bars awaiting the conclusion of their trials. The figures, contained in the latest statistics released by the NCoS, reviewed and obtained by News Point Nigeria on Saturday, underscore the persistent challenge of overcrowding in Nigeria’s custodial facilities, driven largely by the high population of Awaiting Trial Persons (ATPs). According to the Service, the disproportionate number of inmates awaiting trial continues to exert intense pressure on custodial centres, stretching infrastructure, manpower, and resources beyond…

AS Christians in Nigeria join their counterparts around the world to celebrate Christmas, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged churches to do so with wisdom, vigilance, and a deep sense of responsibility. The President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, gave the advice in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Christmas Eve, in which he extended Christmas greetings to Christians across Nigeria and to people of goodwill. According to him, Christmas is a sacred season that reminds humanity of God’s abiding love, His gift of hope, and the triumph of light over darkness. “The message of Christmas…

KOGI State Governor, Usman Ododo, has openly acknowledged the existence of what he described as a “working cabal” within his administration, saying the group was approved by his predecessor and political godfather, Yahaya Bello. News Point Nigeria reports that Ododo made the disclosure while addressing an audience at a recent project inauguration ceremony in the state. The governor recalled that he was once part of a similar inner circle during Bello’s administration, but said the group at the time failed to deliver meaningful results. “I was a member of a cabal, but our own cabal could not perform the way…

ANXIETY has gripped Zak community in Bashar District of Wase Local Government Area, Plateau State, following the abduction of no fewer than 28 travellers by armed gunmen on Sunday night. The victims, made up of men, women and children, were reportedly travelling from Zak village to Sabon Layi community to attend a Maulud religious event when they were intercepted by the attackers. Confirming the incident in a telephone interview with News Point Nigeria, a youth leader in Wase, Shafi’i Sambo, said the travellers were ambushed around 8:00 pm on the outskirts of the community. According to him, the gunmen stopped…

TROOPS of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Wukari, under the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have arrested a notorious bandit leader alleged to be responsible for multiple kidnapping and armed robbery incidents along the Benue/Taraba axis. The arrest was carried out on December 21 during a precision, intelligence-driven operation at Vaase Community, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State. In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Monday, Lieutenant Muhammad Umar, the spokesman for the 6 Brigade, disclosed that the operation led to the arrest of Fidelis Gayama, a” high-value” suspect who had long been sought…

THE ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has announced the defection of Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). News Point Nigeria reports that the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yelwata, who is also from Plateau, announced his governor’s defection at the party’s 14th national caucus meeting held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja. Yelwata said with the defection of Governor Mutfwang, the entire North Central is now governed by the APC. The governor was elected under the PDP in the 2023 general elections and becomes the latest high-profile politician to dump the main opposition party.…

AT least 12 persons have been killed, three abducted, and five others injured following an attack by armed men on local miners in Fan, a community in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State. News Point Nigeria reports that he incident reportedly occurred around 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday while the victims were engaged in what community leaders described as legitimate mining activities. Confirming the development in a phone interview, the National President of the Berom Youth Moulder Association, Barrister Solomon Dalyop, said the assailants attacked the miners without provocation. “Our people were carrying out their legitimate mining business in Fan…

THE Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Monday said enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy will resume on January 2, 2026. Force spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin, announced this in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria, citing a surge in vehicle-related crimes. Hundeyin said the decision “follows a careful review of emerging security concerns and the need to ensure the safety of all citizens”. While clarifying that no court order has restrained the police from enforcing the law on tinted glasses, the Force spokesman said police authorities had voluntarily suspended enforcement after a court matter in October to give motorists time…

SENATOR Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, has disclosed that she has repeatedly resisted efforts by individuals linked to the Presidency and some of her colleagues to persuade her to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). News Point Nigeria reports that the first-term senator made the revelation during a recent interview on the Mic On Podcast, hosted by journalist Seun Okinbaloye, which was published on YouTube on Saturday. Speaking candidly on her political future and party loyalty, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she had no intention of joining the APC, stressing that she remained committed to the Peoples Democratic…

THE University of Jos (UNIJOS) community has been thrown into mourning following an accident that claimed the lives of eight students of the institution. News Point Nigeria reports that the crash, involving a trailer and a bus conveying eleven students, happened around 2:30 a.m. opposite Unity Bank along Zaria Road, Jos, Plateau State. According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Plateau State Sector Command Public Education Officer, Peter Longsan, seven students were found dead when responders arrived at the scene. Another victim died in the hospital, bringing the total fatalities to eight. The remaining three students, all male like…

Six people have died, and others have been wounded in a road crash along the Lokoja–Okene road. News Point Nigeria reports that the Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, said the accident involved a bus carrying passengers returning from the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities held on Wednesday at the Government House, Lokoja. “The unfortunate accident, which occurred along the Lokoja–Okene road, claimed six precious lives,” Fanwo said in a statement. “Thirteen others sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving medical attention at different health facilities across the state.” Fanwo said the Kogi Government and…

TROOPS of 12 Brigade Nigerian Army have rescued six kidnapped victims from bandits in the Ejiba and Saminaka forests in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi. This is contained in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria by the Brigade’s spokesperson, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, on Tuesday in Lokoja. Abdullahi said that the operation was part of the Nigerian Army’s ongoing efforts to curb banditry and kidnapping in the region. He explained that the operation, involving coordinated air and ground offensives with support from the Nigeria Police helicopter, led to the interception of the victims. According to him, the victims…

THE Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the Northern Region and the FCT, Rev. John Hayab, has revealed that a parent died of a heart attack following the abduction of his three children at St Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State. Speaking to ARISE News on Tuesday monitored by News Point Nigeria, Hayab described the trauma faced by families whose children were kidnapped in Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger states over the past week. He said the man, simply identified as Mr Anthony, was overwhelmed by the shock of losing his children. “People want to see concrete action. Imagine…

THE Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has released the names of the students and teachers abducted from St Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State. News Point Nigeria reports that the document contains a total of 265 names, including 12 teachers, 14 secondary school students and 239 primary school pupils. See full list below:

FIFTY schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri community, Niger State, have escaped captivity and reunited with their families, even as 253 students and 12 teachers remain in the custody of their abductors. News Point Nigeria reports that the update was announced on Sunday by the Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State and proprietor of the school, marking the first major breakthrough since the mass abduction shocked the nation on Friday. “We have received some good news as fifty pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents,” said…

POPE Leo XIV called on Sunday for the release of over 300 hostages taken from the St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri in the Agwarra local government area of Niger state, News Point Nigeria reports. “I learned with immense sadness the news of the kidnappings of priests, faithful, and students in Nigeria and Cameroon,” he said. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Saturday said gunmen had kidnapped more than 300 students and teachers in raids on two schools in the country. “I make a heartfelt appeal for the immediate release of the hostages,” Leo said, expressing his…

THE total number of victims abducted by suspected terrorists from the St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri in the Agwarra local government area of Niger state is now 315 from the 227 earlier reported. News Point Nigeria reports that Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, Most. Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, gave the update after a verification exercise and a final census was carried out. A breakdown of newly released data showed that 303 students and 12 teachers were affected. Yohanna said, “After we left the school…

FOUR days after the abduction of dozens of schoolgirls in Maga, Kebbi State, Nigeria, has suffered yet another mass kidnapping, this time in Niger State, where 215 students and 12 staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, were seized during a midnight attack on Friday. News Point Nigeria reports that the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) confirmed the chilling figures, putting the total number of abductees at 227. Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, State CAN Chairman, who visited the community, said the attack had left families devastated. “From our record, 215…

THE Plateau State Government has shut basic schools over what it described as “potential threats,” saying the move is with immediate effect. This directive was contained in a statement by the Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (PSUBEB) sent to News Point Nigeria. “The Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (PSUBEB) has directed the immediate closure of schools across the state as follows: “Government Junior Model Secondary Schools (GJMSSs) will close effective Saturday, 22 November 2025. Primary and Day Schools will close effective Monday, 24 November 2025,” the statement signed by Richard Jonah, on behalf of PSUBEB management, read in…

A SURVIVOR of the Yelwata attack in Benue State, Msurshima Apeh, has narrated her ordeal before the United States Congress, describing how she watched the killing of her five children during the attack. News Point Nigeria reports that the victim testified on Thursday before the House Subcommittee on Africa, which examined President Donald Trump’s decision to return Nigeria to the Country of Particular Concern (CPC) list. She recounted the moment armed men stormed the camp where hundreds of displaced families had been sleeping. “When we went to sleep that night around 9 pm, the Fulani terrorists attacked us where we…