Author: Farouk Abbas

THE Federal Government has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to X (formerly Twitter) demanding the removal of a post by activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, in which he criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. News Point Nigeria reports that the Department of State Services (DSS), in a letter dated September 6, 2025, described Sowore’s tweet as “misleading, offensive, and a threat to national security.” The agency accused Sowore of publishing false information with “the willful intention of inciting violence, spreading hate speech, and discrediting the image of Nigeria.” The DSS letter, signed by B. Bamigboye on behalf of the Director-General,…

THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have dismantled an international organised criminal group (IOCG) with networks spanning Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates, arresting three kingpins and intercepting a cocaine consignment worth ₦5.3 billion. NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement made available to News Point Nigeria on Sunday. He said the operation, conducted over two weeks across Lagos, began on August 26, 2025, when officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, intercepted 76 cartons of textile materials bound for Sydney, Australia. A search revealed 17.9kg of cocaine…

THE Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman (Pakistan) has finally bowed to pressure by expelling his biological brother Sirajo Salisu Usman, nephew Abdulmalik Diggi, and 24 other seconded civil servants from the commission. Sirajo and Diggi and the 24 other pool staff members in the commission were posted back to their various ministries, departments and agencies. Mr Diggi, a deputy director (accounts) and special adviser (general services) to the C/CEO, is popularly known as ‘ka fi chairman,’ meaning ‘de facto chairman.’  Mr Diggi is the chairman’s nephew. While Mr Pakistan’s biological brother, Sirajo…

THE Department of State Services (DSS) has filed terrorism charges against two senior commanders of Ansaru, a terror group reportedly linked to Al-Qaeda, over their alleged role in violent attacks across Nigeria. The suspects are Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a Abbas/Mukhtar, who is described as the Emir of Ansaru, and his deputy, Mahmud Al-Nigeri, also known as Malam Mamuda. They were recently captured during security operations. According to the secret service, the charges against them include leading a terrorist organisation, funding its activities, recruiting members, and planning violent operations nationwide. The two men are alleged to be behind…

THE Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has suspended passenger services on the Port Harcourt–Aba corridor, citing the need for urgent maintenance works on the line. In a statement on Thursday made available to News Point Nigeria, NRC’s Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, confirmed the decision, stressing that the suspension is temporary and aimed at ensuring safer and more reliable train operations. “Port Harcourt to Aba train services have been suspended for routine maintenance. Regular train services will resume on the 9th of September 2025. We regret all inconveniences,” Opeifa said. The announcement leaves hundreds of daily passengers between Rivers and Abia…

THE Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said the Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue to operate under its current Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS), despite a recent National Industrial Court ruling that declared a key provision unconstitutional. News Point Nigeria reports that on Tuesday, Justice Emmanuel Subilim of the National Industrial Court, Abuja, struck down the HTACOS provision requiring personnel to serve a minimum of 15 years before being eligible to resign or retire. The court held that the rule violated fundamental human rights guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution. The case was filed by Flight Lieutenant J. A. Akerele,…

THE Kaduna State Police Command has summoned former governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai and several senior members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in connection with allegations of criminal conspiracy, incitement of public disturbance, mischief, and causing grievous hurt. According to a police invitation letter sighted by this newspaper, the summons was issued on September 4, 2025, and signed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Uzainu Abdullahi. The letter directed El-Rufai and six prominent ADC chieftains to appear before the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) on September 8, 2025, to answer questions related…

COALITION of civil society organisations in Kano on Thursday staged a solidarity walk against what they described as “the alarming harvest of corruption scandals” in the state, demanding transparency, accountability, and justice. Operating under the umbrella of the Forum of Kano Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Against Corruption, the protesters marched through key streets of Kano, brandishing placards and chanting slogans that called for an end to graft and support for anti-corruption agencies. In a joint statement signed by leaders of several civic groups, the CSOs declared that corruption was “killing Kano” and vowed to resist attempts by politicians to intimidate…

FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo has launched a blistering attack on Nigerian lawmakers, branding their constituency projects as “daylight unarmed robbery” and accusing them of institutionalising corruption at unprecedented levels. Obasanjo made the remarks in his newly released book, “Nigeria Past and Future: Contemplations on Nigeria’s History and Vision for Tomorrow.” In Chapter Seven, titled “Lawmakers at Federal and State Levels,”, cited by News Point Nigeria the former president minced no words in accusing the National Assembly of distorting budgets, watering down critical anti-graft legislation, and enriching themselves in breach of the Constitution. “Constituency projects by lawmakers at national or state…

THE Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has rolled out regulations to curb harassment, data breaches, and other unethical practices by digital lenders in Nigeria. This was disclosed in a statement signed by the FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu made available to News Point Nigeria, which quoted the Commission’s Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, as unveiling the new framework in Abuja on Wednesday. “For too long, Nigerians have endured harassment, data breaches, and unethical practices by unregulated digital lenders. “These regulations draw a clear line that innovation is welcome, but not at the expense of…

IN a landmark judgment that could reshape the Nigerian military’s terms of service, the National Industrial Court, Abuja, has voided the 15-year mandatory service rule imposed on officers before they are permitted to resign. News Point Nigeria reports that delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice Emmanuel Subilim described the provision of the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) for officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces as oppressive, unconstitutional, and a gross violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The case was filed by Flight Lieutenant J.A. Akerele, who challenged the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) refusal to…

THE Nigeria Customs Service Board has approved the appointment of four Deputy Comptroller-Generals and 12 Assistant Comptroller-Generals, as well as the promotion of 3,312 senior officers across various ranks. The approvals were made at the 63rd regular meeting of the Board, chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, on Tuesday in Abuja. A statement by the Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada made available to News Point Nigeria, said the appointments were made to fill vacancies created by recent retirements and to strengthen equitable representation. “These appointments were made to fill vacancies…

THE Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has announced that it will release the preliminary report into the August 26 derailment of an Abuja-Kaduna train within the next 23 days. News Point Nigeria reports that the accident, which occurred at Asham Station along the Abuja–Kaduna corridor, left several passengers injured, caused damage to rail infrastructure, and led to an indefinite suspension of train services on one of the nation’s busiest rail routes. Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the Director-General of NSIB, Capt. Alex Badeh Jnr, said the Bureau has already commenced a comprehensive technical investigation to determine…

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reaffirmed that its elective National Convention will hold as scheduled on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, despite fresh opposition from a faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. Speaking at the inauguration of the National Convention Committee at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday, the PDP Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, dismissed fears of disruption, declaring that detractors would not succeed in derailing the party’s democratic process. “The PDP is alive, strong, and ready to challenge the APC in 2027. Nothing…

THE Minister of Transportation, Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, has assured Nigerians that the damaged portions of the Abuja-Kaduna railway line will be fully restored within 10 days, following last week’s derailment of a Kaduna-bound train. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday at Asham Station, left portions of the track and several coaches badly damaged. According to official reports, 618 persons were on board the train comprising 583 passengers, 15 Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) crew members, one medical personnel, eight cleaners and 11 catering staff. While the majority escaped unhurt, seven passengers sustained varying degrees of injury, receiving medical treatment shortly after…

KADUNA State Government has issued a stern and final warning to former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, accusing him of orchestrating a campaign of provocation, manipulation, and dangerous rhetoric aimed at destabilising the state’s fragile peace. In a strongly worded statement signed by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Suleiman Shuaibu, the government said El-Rufai’s recent activities amount to a deliberate attempt to drag Kaduna back into the cycle of ethno-religious violence, insecurity, and economic stagnation that plagued the state during his administration. “This government will not fold its arms and allow a discredited former leader, who left the…

THE Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland has sentenced a pro-Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, to six years in prison for terrorism offences. In a ruling delivered on Monday, the court found him guilty of inciting terrorism and participating in the activities of a terrorist group. The court said Ekpa had used his “significant social media following” to stoke tensions in the South-East region of Nigeria between August 2021 and November 2024, a Finnish newspaper, Yle, reported. According to the newspaper, the court also convicted him of aggravated tax fraud. The three-member panel of judges, in a unanimous ruling, also stated that…

FORUM of State Chief Executives of Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards/Agencies and Commissions, and the registered tour operators have passed a vote of no confidence on the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman (Pakistan). The states and the tour operators are puzzled that over two months after the completion of 2025 Hajj, the Hajj commission is yet to pay some Saudi Arabian service providers and approved Hajj airlines. They said that both the states and the tour operators have fully paid for the services rendered to their pilgrims during the Hajj -…

ORMER First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has categorically ruled out any return to Aso Rock, saying she values her peace more than the pressures of political life. News Point Nigeria reports that a resurfaced video of her speech, recorded in May 2025 at an Abuja event where she was honoured with the Women Icon Leader of the Year Award by Accolades Dynamics Limited, has stirred renewed debate as speculations continue to swirl about her husband, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, and the 2027 presidential elections. In the viral clip, Patience Jonathan spoke candidly about the toll of public office and her personal…

THE Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Sunday advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against fielding former President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate in 2027. Keyamo stated on Sunday that the opposition risks serious consequences in the upcoming election if it relies on former Anambra governor Peter Obi as its candidate. He said the PDP remains in a “non-enviable position” after failing to zone its 2023 ticket to the South, a decision he said cost the PDP support in its traditional strongholds in the South-South and South-East. The minister stated that nominating Jonathan carries a constitutional danger…