Day: July 26, 2026

Did Abacha actually die on top of a woman? By Festus Adedayo

Emporium Reporters

The Yoruba establish a direct causal relationship between tragic news and emotional grief. They observe that if the ears are not fed with rotten news, the mind will not be consumed by grief. Whatever his motive for publishing his book, DSS @40: My Journey Behind the Shield, retired Assistant Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) Dennis Amachree has reawakened an unpleasant yet momentous chapter in our national history. In doing so, he proves right the ancient adage that a twenty-year-old pounded yam can still burn one’s fingers as…

The Agẹmọ curse and Nigeria’s free fall By Festus Adedayo

Emporium Reporters

“They just tend not to be honest. Nigerians as a group, frankly, are marvelous scammers. I mean, it is in their national culture.” That damning comment appeared in the September 25, 1995, edition of The New Yorker. That scathingassertion stirred a hornet’s nest, and its author — Colin Powell, the urbane American diplomat, Army General, and later the 65th Secretary of State (and the first Black American to serve in that role) — courted unpleasant rebukes for those remarks. Powell was like smelly rot on whom flies perched as he…

Police Rescue Kidnap Victims, Arrest Murder, Cult, Robbery Suspects in Nationwide Operations

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a series of operational successes across several states of the federation within the last 24 hours, including the rescue of kidnap victims, arrests of murder, cultism and armed robbery suspects, as well as the recovery of firearms and ammunition. According to a state-by-state operational summary released by the Force Headquarters on Saturday, police tactical teams, working with other security agencies and local security operatives, disrupted criminal activities in Zamfara, Enugu, Benue, Bauchi, Ekiti, Imo, Katsina and Delta states. In Zamfara State, police tactical teams…

Defence Ministry, NIMC Partner to Strengthen National Security Through Digital Identity Integration

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Ministry of Defence has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to implement the provisions of the NIMC Act 2026, with a view to strengthening national security through integrated digital identity systems and enhanced identity verification. The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), made this known on Sunday while receiving the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, and her management team at the Ship House, Abuja. General Musa stressed that effective collaboration among government institutions is essential in…

Defence Ministry Pledges Major Infrastructure Upgrade for Nigerian Army University Biu

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming the Nigerian Army University Biu (NAUB) into a leading institution for specialised military and civilian capacity building, with plans to embark on major infrastructure development at the university. The Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, gave the assurance while receiving the University’s Governing Council at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters in Abuja. General Musa said the government would continue to provide strategic support to the institution, describing NAUB as a critical platform for equipping military personnel and…

Identity in Christ, Not Culture, Is the Path to Flourishing, Foursquare Teens Told

Emporium Reporters

Dr. Afolabi Olajuwon       Teenagers have been challenged to resist the growing pressure to define success by wealth, social status and material possessions, and instead build their identity, purpose and future on a personal relationship with God.   The charge was delivered by Bro. Pelumi Tolulope Otuneye during the grand finale of the Teens Week Sunday, July 26, 2026 at Foursquare Gospel Church, Wuse District Headquarters, Abuja, where he preached on the theme, “How to Flourish in a Gen Z World.”   Drawing his principal text from Psalm…

Nigerian Navy Intercepts 15,500 Litres of Suspected Stolen Petroleum Products in Rivers

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Navy has recorded another operational success under Operation DELTA SENTINEL with the interception of two wooden boats conveying about 15,500 litres of petroleum products suspected to be stolen crude oil and siphoned Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in the Okrika waterways of Rivers State. According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the operation was carried out by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER following credible intelligence on the movement of suspected stolen petroleum products within its area of…

CGC Adeniyi Urges Customs Spokespersons to Embrace Strategic Communication, Strengthen Public Trust

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has charged Public Relations Officers (PROs) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to adopt strategic and impactful communication in promoting reforms, strengthening institutional credibility and sustaining public trust. Adeniyi gave the charge on Friday at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Nigeria Customs Service Public Relations Conference held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The four-day conference, themed “Realigning Corporate Communication as a Strategic Driver of Institutional Effectiveness and Public Trust,” focused on repositioning corporate communication as a key management tool for enhancing institutional…

FG Reaffirms Commitment to People-Centred Foreign Policy, Strategic Autonomy

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing a people-centred foreign policy anchored on national interest, economic diplomacy, strategic autonomy and sustainable development. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, stated this while receiving a delegation of the Society for International Relations and Awareness (SIRA), led by its President, Owei Lakemfa, during a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja. According to the minister, Nigeria’s foreign policy is being repositioned under the Renewed Hope Agenda to prioritise the welfare and prosperity of citizens…

Nigeria Calls for Restraint as Houthi-Saudi Tensions Escalate

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions and reported attacks involving the Houthi militia in Yemen and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, calling on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and embrace peaceful dialogue. In a statement issued on Sunday, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said Nigeria urged all sides to immediately de-escalate the crisis and refrain from actions capable of worsening hostilities, endangering civilian lives, and threatening regional peace and stability. Ebienfa stated that the Federal Government believes dialogue,…