
Joint Security Watch Kwara South has strongly condemned the abduction of a traditional ruler, Alhaji Saliman OAweda, his wife, and another individual in Olayinka community, Ifelodun Local Government Area. The group's Coordinator, Elder Olaitan Oyin Zubair, described the incident as a disturbing escalation of insecurity in the Kwara South axis. Zubair highlighted the recurring wave of kidnappings in the area, which has instilled fear among residents and led to previous school closures. He called for decisive, coordinated action from all security agencies, warning that failure to act swiftly could worsen the fragile security situation. Zubair renewed calls for the Brigade Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade to deploy full-scale military operations to complement existing security efforts. He commended Captain Abiola and his team for their operations but stressed the need for more action from the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, and other relevant security agencies to prioritize the security of Ifelodun and Kwara South. The Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Abdulrasheed Yusuf, also condemned the abduction, emphasizing the need to strengthen local security architecture. Forest Guards have reportedly commenced rescue operations for the abducted monarch, Oba Salman Aweda, who was taken from his palace. The incident has caused panic in Olayinka community, with residents fleeing their homes amid fears of further attacks as authorities work to track down perpetrators and
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Must ReadThe Federal Government has rejected media reports alleging hidden spending and diversion of federation revenue, stating these claims misrepresent findings from the World Bank's latest Nigeria Development Update. In a statement, the Federal Ministry of Finance, signed by the Minister of State for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, clarified that interpretations circulating in some media platforms wrongly characterize statutory fiscal processes as leakages. The ministry explained that such claims reflect a misunderstanding of Nigeria's fiscal structure and how revenues are distributed through the Federation Account Allocation Committee FAAC. It emphasized that FAAC deductions, which include statutory transfers, savings, investments, security-related expenditures, cost-of-collection charges, refunds to Ministries, Departments and Agencies MDAs, and transfers to subnational governments, are legitimate fiscal flows. The government also noted that commentators are using outdated figures and ignoring recent reforms implemented in 2026, including a new Executive Order to safeguard petroleum revenue remittances. The World Bank report, according to the ministry, acknowledges these reforms, which are projected to improve transparency and increase distributable revenues by about 0.4 percent of GDP annually. The ministry highlighted that the overall tone of the World Bank report was positive, contrary to interpretations suggesting fiscal distress, pointing to diversified economic growth, easing infl

The Federal Government has urged the seven regional development commissions to prioritize economic diversification and self-sufficiency. This directive emerged from a two-day retreat organized by the Ministry of Regional Development in collaboration with the commissions in Benin City, Edo State. The retreat, themed "Generating Fresh Ideas to Unlock the Potential of the Regions," aimed to accelerate regional development by strengthening governance systems, enhancing institutional collaboration, and unlocking new financing pathways. Participants emphasized adherence to governance frameworks like the Public Procurement Act and international accounting standards to restore transparency and accountability. Resolutions included strengthening oversight functions of governing boards, institutionalizing capacity-building programs, and aligning procurement plans with budget cycles. A key focus was on economic diversification, with commissions directed to invest in revenue-generating assets beyond statutory allocations and scale up skills acquisition in agriculture and small-scale enterprise development. The need for structured stakeholder engagement across regions, involving governors, traditional rulers, youth groups, and women's associations, was also highlighted. Infrastructure development, including investments in electricity generation, intermodal transport systems, industrial clusters, and logistics networks, was identified as a critical priority to boost trade and regional compe

President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, a prominent sports administrator and community leader from Kano, who passed away on Saturday at 78. In a statement released on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu extended his condolences to Galadima's family. Galadima held various roles in the Kano State Government and the Federal Government, including chairman of the Kano State Sports Council and a two-time commissioner. He also served as president of the defunct Nigeria Football Association from 2002 to 2006. After his active service, he was turbaned as the Galadiman Fagge, the community head of Fagge in Kano State. President Tinubu described Galadima's death as a significant loss to sports administration and Nigeria, acknowledging his lasting contributions to Nigerian football at both grassroots and elite levels. The President offered his sympathies to Galadima's family, the government and people of Kano State, and the wider sports community.

Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, a former Kano State Governor, has resigned his membership from the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, citing a strategic political realignment. His resignation, effective April 19, 2026, was communicated in a letter to the PDP Chairman of Giginyu Ward in Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State. Shekarau stated that the decision followed extensive consultations within his political group and was made in anticipation of joining another political party. He expressed gratitude to the ward-level party leadership. The letter was also sent to the Kano State PDP Chairman and the PDP Chairman of Nassarawa Local Government Area. This move follows months of speculation regarding the PDP's internal crises. In April, during a visit from APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, Shekarau indicated his impending departure from the PDP, describing the party as ineffective due to its problems. He informed APC leaders that consultations on his political future were nearing completion, emphasizing that his decisions, along with his Shura Council, supporters, and associates, are based on a "Kano First agenda." While there are rumors he may join the ruling party, Shekarau has not publicly confirmed this.