THE Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has admitted that criminals operating across Nigeria are currently more sophisticated and better equipped than the country’s security agencies, warning that law enforcement must urgently modernize to keep pace with emerging threats. News Point Nigeria reports that speaking on Thursday at the Force Headquarters in Abuja during a strategic meeting with commanders of all border patrol units nationwide, Egbetokun described the situation as a wake-up call for the nation’s security architecture. In a blunt assessment of Nigeria’s security challenges, the Police Chief acknowledged that criminal groups are no longer the “ragtag gangs” of old…
Author: Farouk Abbas
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IN what is being hailed as a major relief for millions of Nigerians grappling with high fuel prices, the Dangote Refinery has announced that its much-anticipated free fuel distribution programme will officially begin on Monday, with simultaneous rollouts in key states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). News Point Nigeria reports that the announcement was made late on Thursday by Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief, Branding and Corporate Communications, Dangote Group, in a statement confirming the programme’s commencement date and the accompanying slash in petrol prices. Chiejina disclosed that the refinery will retail petrol at ₦841 per litre in Lagos and…
IN what security experts are hailing as a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, the Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted and sentenced Mahmud Usman, a notorious commander of the proscribed terrorist group Ansaru, to 15 years imprisonment. News Point Nigeria reports that the judgment was delivered on Thursday by Justice Emeka Nwite, who found Usman guilty of illegal mining activities that were allegedly used to generate funds for arms procurement, terrorism operations, and multiple high-profile kidnappings. Usman, who security agencies describe as the “self-styled Emir of Ansaru,” was arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) on…
THE House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations has expressed growing concern over the slow pace of implementation of the 2024–2025 Appropriations Act, summoning the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, to provide explanations. News Point Nigeria reports that the lawmakers engaged the ministers behind closed doors on Wednesday in Abuja, pressing for clarity on why Nigerians have yet to feel the impact of the budget, despite the government’s assurances. Briefing journalists after the session, Chairman of the Committee, Abubakar Bichi (APC–Kano), said Nigerians were worried about the execution of the…
VICE President Kashim Shettima has commended Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, for establishing Nigeria’s first-ever State Council on Skills, describing the initiative as a bold and transformative step toward equipping citizens with the tools needed for national development. Speaking on Tuesday during the 7th meeting of the National Council on Skills (NCS) held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Shettima praised Kaduna’s pioneering role, noting that it aligns perfectly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s agenda to prioritize human capital development. According to the Vice President, the skills revolution is at the heart of the Federal Government’s covenant with Nigerians,…
YAGBA West Local Council in Kogi State was thrown into mourning on Wednesday after armed bandits launched a deadly ambush on a police checkpoint, killing three officers and carting away their rifles. News Point Nigeria reports that the incident, which occurred at the Ofili checkpoint along the Egbe–Okunran–Pategi Road, has heightened fears over the rising wave of insecurity in Okunland and renewed calls for urgent intervention by security agencies and government authorities. According to eyewitness accounts, the policemen had barely arrived at their duty post when the bandits opened fire on their Hilux patrol vehicle. “They came for their guns,…
THIS infographic chronicles the timeline of 57 major scandals of Professor Abdullahi Saleh Pakistan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), in the last 11 months. Mr Pakistan took over the mantle of leadership at the Nigerian apex Hajj regulatory commission on October 2, 2024. The tenure of Mr Pakistan has been marred by so many scandals that include submit the 2025 Hajj report to the Presidency three months after the holy pilgrimage in a clear violation of the NAHCON (Establishment) Act 2022. Others scandals are submission of fraudulently packaged onshore/offshore budget to Tinubu…
THE National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has imposed an immediate ban on loading activities at unauthorized points nationwide to reduce boat accidents and enhance safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways. The Managing Director of NIWA, Bola Oyebamiji, announced the new directives during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday. He said, “NIWA has placed an immediate ban on loading activities from all unauthorised loading points across the country. No commercial passenger boat shall be allowed to load from any point other than those recognised and registered by NIWA. “It is mandatory for all commercial boat operators to provide and enforce the…
THE Presidency has dismissed recent remarks by Senator Dino Melaye on Nigeria’s debt profile as “noise without knowledge,” accusing him of substituting political theatrics for facts. In a statement shared via his verified X handle on Tuesday made available to News Point Nigeria, Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, criticized Melaye’s television comments in which the former lawmaker mocked the government’s debt policies by claiming Nigeria might soon “borrow from OPay and Moniepoint.” Dare said Melaye’s assertions misrepresented the realities of Nigeria’s fiscal position. Citing official figures, he noted that as of March…
THE Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has clarified that the much-debated 5% surcharge on fuel purchases was not introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, but has been part of Nigerian law since 2007. Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief programme on Tuesday monitored by News point Nigeria, Oyedele dismissed reports that the surcharge was a fresh initiative of the current government, stressing that the law was enacted over 16 years ago but never enforced due to fuel subsidy payments. “One very important message for people to know is that this surcharge was…
THE Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has warned residents against offering money or any form of inducement to police officers while they are performing their official duties, stressing that the practice is unlawful and undermines effective law enforcement. News Point Nigeria reports that in a public advisory posted on X.com on Monday, the command reiterated that both giving and receiving bribes or inducements during duty hours amount to a criminal offence. The statement read: “It is unlawful to give our officers money or any form of inducement while they are performing their duty. Let them discharge their responsibilities diligently,…
THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that more than 3.5 million Nigerians have pre-registered online for their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) within just three weeks of its ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. In a statement issued on Monday obtained by News Point Nigeria, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumeku, confirmed that as of Sunday, September 7, 2025, a total of 3,544,850 citizens had successfully completed online pre-registration since the exercise kicked off on August 18, 2025. Breaking down the figures, Olumeku revealed that 1,709,933 (48.24%) of registrants are male,…
THE Federal Government’s effort to avert a looming nationwide strike suffered a setback on Monday as the leadership of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) failed to honour an invitation to a conciliation meeting with the Dangote Group. News Point Nigeria reports that the meeting, convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, was scheduled to hold at 10:00am at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. It was expected to address the ongoing dispute between NUPENG and the Dangote Group over the union’s insistence that workers at the company’s facilities must be allowed to unionise.…
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…