Day: December 15, 2025

Nigeria, Gambia reaffirm strategic ties, deepen cooperation at Abuja meeting

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria and The Gambia have reaffirmed their long-standing bilateral relations and commitment to deeper cooperation across diplomacy, security, justice reform and capacity building, following a high-level meeting between their foreign ministers in Abuja.   The meeting, held on Monday, 15 December 2025, saw Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, received his Gambian counterpart, Honourable Sering Modou Njie, and his delegation at the ministry’s headquarters.   During the discussions, Njie conveyed warm fraternal greetings from Gambian President Adama Barrow and expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s steadfast support, particularly during…

Lakwaya Attack: Senator Barau applauds security forces as three kidnap victims regain freedom

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has commended security operatives for their swift intervention that led to the rescue of three persons abducted by bandits in Zurin Mahauta village, Lakwaya town, Gwarzo Local Government Area of Kano State.   Bandits, suspected to have infiltrated the community from neighbouring states, attacked the village on Sunday night and kidnapped five residents, prompting an immediate security response.   In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, Senator Barau strongly condemned the attack, described…

FG orders immediate suspension of sachet Alcohol ban enforcement

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has directed an immediate halt to all enforcement actions relating to the proposed ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle products, pending the completion of consultations and the issuance of a final policy directive.   The order was issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) following concerns raised by the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control over the planned enforcement by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).   In…

NITT Zaria set to host RIGAN Games 2026

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria, has secured the hosting rights for the 2026 Research Institute Games Association of Nigeria (RIGAN) Games, following the successful inauguration of the Local Organising Committee (LOC). RIGAN is a coalition of Research and Development Institutes under various Federal Ministries, established to promote sports development, unity and camaraderie among research institutions nationwide. The RIGAN Games serve as a platform for talent identification, sports development and strengthened collaboration among participating institutes. The last edition was held in Ibadan and hosted by the Cocoa Research…

Time for the Abachas to rejoice By Lasisi Olagunju

Emporium Reporters

General Sani Abacha was a great teacher. He pioneered the doctrine of consensus candidacy in Nigeria. He founded a country of five political parties and when it was time for the parties to pick their candidates for the presidency, all the five reached a consensus that the man fit for the job was Abacha himself. Today, from party primaries to consensus candidacy; from setting the opposition on fire, to everything and every thing, Abacha’s students are showing exceptionally remarkable brilliance.   Anti-Abacha democrats of 28 years ago are orchestrating and…

Niger Police arrests female ammunition courier, kidnapper, other crime suspects

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Niger State Police Command has recorded major breakthroughs in its fight against crime with the arrest of a suspected female arms courier, a notorious child abductor, and several other suspects linked to robbery, phone snatching and unlawful possession of firearms across the state. In a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed that operatives of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) Special Tactical Squad (STS) arrested one Zuwaira Usman, 35, of Pandogari in Rafi Local Government Area, over her alleged involvement in transporting ammunition…

Tonlagha donates N100m to Federal University Otuoke, bags Honorary Doctorate, dedicates award to family

Emporium Reporters

By Our Reporter     The Federal University, Otuoke (FUO), Bayelsa State, has conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Science (D.Sc) degree in Community Development and Empowerment on Mrs. Esther Matthew Tonlagha, in recognition of her outstanding humanitarian service and commitment to grassroots empowerment.   Mrs. Tonlagha, Founder of the Esther Matthew Tonlagha Foundation, was honoured during the university’s maiden combined convocation ceremony held on December 8, 2025, at Otuoke.   The award, according to the university, acknowledges her consistent contributions to community development, poverty alleviation and empowerment initiatives across Bayelsa…

FCT Police foils car-snatching attempt, recovers three vehicles in Abuja

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has foiled a car-snatching attempt and recovered three vehicles following a swift response by operatives attached to the Galadima Division. According to the Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Command, SP Josephine Adeh, the incident occurred on December 12, 2025, at about 7:43 p.m., during a routine stop-and-search operation around Efab Bridge when operatives heard a gunshot from a nearby location and immediately moved in to investigate. She explained that on arrival at the scene, the officers encountered four armed men who opened fire…

FCT Police identifies father of Apo Hit-and-Run victim

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has announced the identification of the father of a young boy involved in a suspected hit-and-run incident at Apo Roundabout, Abuja. The victim, earlier reported as an unidentified male aged between 12 and 15, was found unconscious near a transformer at the Apo Roundabout on December 10, 2025. Following a public appeal and sustained investigation, the boy’s father, Mr. Adamu Ibrahim, has now come forward and positively identified the victim as his son, Abba Adamu Ibrahim. Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations…