More from Nigeria
Must Read🇳🇬Punch Nigeria·35 mins ago
DJ Chicken arrested over video remarks about President’s son, lawyer alleges
Rotimi Stephen, the lawyer for Disc Jockey and TikTok personality Ademola Abiodun, known as DJ Chicken, has alleged that his client was arrested in Ikeja and taken to the police headquarters. Stephen believes the Department of State Services may be involved, linking the arrest to a video DJ Chicken recently shared. In the video, DJ Chicken made comments about the President’s son, Seyi Tinubu, stating in Yoruba, "Tinubu, you can’t win the election. If you win, I will kill Seyi Tinubu. I won’t say more than that." Stephen appealed to the comedian’s supporters and those close to the Presidency for intervention, describing DJ Chicken as a personal project he has mentored. As of the time of reporting, there has been no official confirmation from the Nigeria Police Force or the Department of State Services regarding the alleged arrest or the reason for detention.
9 min read
🇳🇬Punch Nigeria·1 hour ago
Jigawa Pilgrims Welfare Board refunds N3.4 billion Hajj loan to state treasury
The Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board has refunded N3.4 billion to the state government, representing the full Hajj loan advanced for the 2026 pilgrimage. The refund was announced by the board's Director-General, Ahmad Labbo, in Dutse, the state capital, following the successful conclusion of the 2026 Hajj operations and ahead of preparations for the 2027 exercise. Labbo stated that the repayment was made without any deductions or interest, demonstrating the board's commitment to transparency, accountability, and prudent management of public funds. He highlighted that Governor Umar Namadi's intervention was crucial in meeting deadlines set by Saudi authorities for Hajj slot reservations, ensuring the participation of Jigawa pilgrims. The Director-General also expressed appreciation for the governor's support and affirmed the board's dedication to maintaining high standards of financial discipline and improving service delivery for intending pilgrims.
9 min read
🇳🇬Punch Nigeria·2 hours ago
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak advises Nigeria to establish federal rapid response police force
Former Prime Minister of Israel, Ehud Barak, has recommended that the Nigerian Federal Government create a central rapid deployment police force. This force would be available to support state police commands during emergencies. Speaking in an interview with Arise Television, Barak emphasized that the newly adopted state police structure in Nigeria requires proper coordination, transparency, and information-sharing between states and the Federal Government in Abuja. He cautioned against a system where states operate in isolation from the center, stressing the need for Abuja to have access to information and transparency regarding state police operations. Barak suggested that this central force could be deployed to any region when a security threat exceeds a state's capacity, creating a dependency on the federal government in real emergencies. He also highlighted that deploying the military for policing duties often leads to complications due to soldiers' different training and culture compared to law enforcement. However, he noted that the military remains necessary as a last resort when armed groups act as "mini sovereigns" and take over territory. Barak commended Nigeria's commitment to democratic governance while confronting security challenges like terrorism, organized crime, kidnapping, and separatist agitations. He advised Nigeria to take a long-term view of security reforms, acknowledging that Israel's intelligence capabilities developed over decades and that even Isra