Author: Sadiq Abdullateef

THE National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has announced the arrest of two men he identified as leaders of the Ansaru terrorist group. News Point Nigeria reports that Ribadu, who disclosed this at a press briefing on security developments at the Office of the National Security Adviser, identified those arrested as Abu Baraa, the Amir, and Mahmuda, the deputy Amir. They were said to be responsible for masterminding several terrorist operations in Nigeria as well as high-profile kidnappings. Also present at the briefing are the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Inspector General of Police, and the…

REGISTERED voters across 13 states of the federation will on Saturday, August 16, 2025, head to the polls to elect new representatives into the Senate, House of Representatives, and state houses of assembly. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed that elections will take place in 16 constituencies spread across the affected states. According to INEC, the exercise will involve two senatorial districts, five federal constituencies, and nine state constituencies. The states where polls will be conducted include Jigawa, Edo, Ogun, Oyo, Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna, Kano, Taraba, Kogi, Niger, Enugu, and Zamfara. The elections are being held to fill seats…

A CANADIAN Federal Court has, in a reckless and baseless ruling, implied that Nigerian political parties are linked to terrorism. This is more than an insult; it is an assault on our dignity, sovereignty, and global standing. It is not about defending the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), or some other political party or any faction. It is about defending Nigeria. When a foreign court stigmatizes the political platforms that have produced presidents, governors, ministers, and lawmakers in the Fourth Republic, it is indirectly branding every Nigerian who has ever participated in elections as part of…

THE Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly rejected a recent ruling by a Canadian Federal Court that classified certain Nigerian political parties as “terrorist organizations,” describing the decision as baseless, reckless, and an unacceptable interference in the nation’s internal affairs. The designation emerged from a case involving a Nigerian citizen, Mr. Douglas Egharevba, who arrived in Canada in September 2017 and sought inland refugee status under the country’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. In the course of the proceedings, the Canadian court allegedly issued a sweeping declaration implicating the entirety of some Nigerian political parties rather than addressing the conduct…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday finally departed Abuja for a high-profile two-nation trip to Japan and Brazil, aimed at deepening Nigeria’s global economic partnerships and attracting strategic investments. The President’s departure comes a day later than earlier announced. On Wednesday, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, told reporters that Tinubu would leave Abuja on Thursday with a brief stopover in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, before heading to Japan. However, presidential sources revealed that Tinubu spent Thursday attending to pressing state matters, including a closed-door meeting with World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director-General, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, at the Presidential…

AS political, economic, and climate uncertainties continue to shape global investment behaviour, wealthy Nigerians are increasingly turning to Abu Dhabi and Dubai as preferred destinations to safeguard their fortunes, according to the newly released Wealth Report 2025 by international mobility platform, Multipolitan. The report, titled “Wealth Report 2025: The Taxed Generation” sighted by News Point Nigeria, ranks Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Singapore as the top three destinations for wealth management among Nigeria’s elite, highlighting their legal stability, predictable governance, and resilient infrastructure as key draws. Traditionally, high-net-worth Nigerians have sought aggressive investment strategies aimed at delivering rapid capital growth. However,…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s planned departure for a high-profile two-nation tour to Japan and Brazil has been shifted to Friday, contrary to the earlier announcement that he would leave on Thursday. The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had initially told reporters that Tinubu would depart Abuja on Thursday with a brief stopover in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, before continuing to Japan. However, sources inside the Presidential Villa revealed that the President instead spent Thursday in Abuja attending to pressing official engagements, including a meeting with Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation…

THE captain of Nigeria’s Super Falcons, Rasheedat Ajibade, has expressed deep frustration over the Federal Government’s delay in fulfilling its promise to pay each player $100,000 and other entitlements following their historic 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) victory in Morocco. News Point Nigeria reports that Speaking on the forthcoming episode of With Chude, hosted by Chude Jideonwo, Ajibade revealed that the team has not received a single dollar of the pledged amount announced by President Bola Tinubu in July 2025. “We have not received our money oo. Please, they have not paid. All the promises you heard back…

THE Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has firmly denied reports that notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has surrendered under a peace agreement facilitated by some Islamic clerics in Zamfara State. Addressing journalists at a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, said Turji remains at large and is actively being hunted by security forces. “Bello Turji has not surrendered. We are hot on his trail and are not aware of any deal with any cleric,” Kangye stated. Turji, who operates primarily in Zamfara and Sokoto states, is accused of orchestrating numerous deadly attacks…

THE Federal Government’s 2025 capital budget is yet to take off more than eight months into the fiscal year, with ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) struggling to implement projects after the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) suspended the uploading of cash plans, a move that may force the 2025 budget to roll over into 2026. News Point Nigeria reports that the deadlock was revealed at a high-level stakeholders’ engagement in Abuja on Wednesday, convened by the OAGF to review progress and challenges in executing both the extended 2024 capital budget and the current 2025 budget under the Bottom-Up Cash Planning…

TERRORIST groups in Nigeria are set to face tougher days ahead as the United States Government has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Nigeria valued at an estimated $346 million. News Point Nigeria reports that the U.S. State Department, through the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), confirmed on Wednesday that it has delivered the required certification to Congress, paving the way for the supply of munitions, precision-guided bombs, rockets, and related support equipment to the Nigerian Armed Forces. According to the DSCA, the Nigerian Government has requested a wide range of advanced weaponry and support gear, including: 1,002 MK-82…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Thursday, August 14, for a two-nation working visit to Japan and Brazil, with stopovers aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s international partnerships, driving investment, and fostering innovation-led growth. According to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Tinubu will first make a brief stop in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, before heading to Yokohama, Japan, where he will participate in the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) from August 20 to 22. TICAD9, themed “Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa,” will centre on Africa’s economic transformation, improvements in…

THE Presidency has delivered a blistering rebuttal to recent criticisms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, accusing him of opportunism, arrogance, and seeking attention through political provocation. Speaking on Channels Television on Monday, Lawal said he could not forgive Tinubu for what he described as arrogance, neglect of political allies, and an unwillingness to acknowledge the efforts of those who backed his rise to the presidency. He claimed Tinubu’s actions since taking office confirmed his belief that public office had changed the president’s character. In a sharply worded response…

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released former Sokoto State Governor and Ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, from custody after granting him administrative bail, even as the anti-graft agency issued a stern warning to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over what it described as attempts to politicise ongoing corruption investigations. Tambuwal was detained at the EFCC’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday after honouring an invitation from the commission. The former governor, who arrived at about 11:16am, was grilled over allegations of the fraudulent withdrawal of about N189 billion during his tenure as Sokoto State…

THE Federal High Court in Abuja has given the Federal Government 45 days to conclude the decade-long prosecution of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), over alleged unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering. News Point Nigeria reports that Justice Peter Lifu issued the directive on Tuesday while granting the prosecution’s application for adjournment to allow it to present additional witnesses and enable the defence to open its case. The matter has now been fixed for September 24, 25, and 26 for continuation of trial. The judge ordered the Federal Government to ensure that all remaining witnesses…

PANIC is spreading through the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its allied opposition coalition after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) launched a fresh wave of investigations targeting big political figures in Nigeria. News Point Nigeria reports that at the centre of the storm is former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who was grilled by EFCC operatives in Abuja on Monday over allegations of fraudulent cash withdrawals amounting to ₦189 billion during his tenure. Tambuwal, who served as Sokoto governor between 2015 and 2023, reportedly arrived at the EFCC headquarters around 11:30am and was immediately ushered in for…

THE arrest and remand of Ibom Air passenger Comfort Emmanson, now nicknamed “KWAM 2” by social media users, has set off a storm of criticism over what many describe as blatant double standards in Nigeria’s handling of aviation security breaches. News Point Nigeria reports that Emmanson, accused of assaulting airline officials during a heated altercation aboard an Ibom Air flight, was swiftly arraigned in court and ordered remanded at Kirikiri Prison pending her next hearing. Her case has drawn sharp comparisons with that of Fuji music icon Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate or KWAM 1, who…

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, over allegations of massive financial irregularities involving cash withdrawals amounting to ₦189 billion. The anti-graft agency is investigating claims that the funds were withdrawn in breach of the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which places strict limits on cash transactions and imposes severe penalties for non-compliance. According to a reliable source within the EFCC, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, Tambuwal arrived at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja at approximately 11:30 am on Monday, where…

PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Ms. Rinsola Abiola as the new Director-General of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC), marking a significant step in the administration’s drive to promote leadership, civic responsibility, and youth development across the country. The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Monday, by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga made available to News Point Nigeria. Abiola, a seasoned professional in strategic communication and government relations, previously served as Senior Special Assistant to the President. She is the daughter of the late Chief Moshood…

IN what political observers see as a sign of deepening behind-the-scenes consultations, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa, the lawmaker representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency in Kano State, on Sunday night held a second closed-door meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in less than two weeks. News Point Nigeria gathered that the meeting, which took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, began at about 9:00pm and lasted until nearly 11:00pm, underscoring what insiders describe as “serious and sensitive political discussions.” Although Jibrin did not disclose the agenda, sources close to the meeting suggested that the talks may have revolved around the relationship…