Category: News

FCT Police Reactivates “Operation Sweep FCT” to Strengthen Security in Abuja

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The FCT Police Command has reactivated a joint security initiative known as “Operation Sweep FCT” as part of renewed efforts to curb criminal activities and enhance safety across the Federal Capital Territory. The operation was officially flagged off on Friday, May 15, 2026, at the Eagle Square, with collaboration from sister security agencies and support from the FCT Administration led by the Minister, Nyesom Wike. According to the Command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the initiative is designed to strengthen visibility policing, deter crime, and ensure rapid, coordinated responses to security…

Emporium Reporters’ Lukman Babalola Emerges HallowMace 2026 Outstanding Parliamentary Reporter (New Media)

Abubakar Yusuf

Lukman Laleye Babalola of Emporium Reporters Online and Emporium Magazine has emerged winner of the Most Outstanding Parliamentary Reporter (New Media) category at the HallowMace National Legislative Awards 2026. Babalola, who is also a member of the National Assembly New Media Forum and Publisher/CEO of Emporium Reporters Online, Emporium Magazine, and Emporium Online TV, was honoured for his consistent excellence in parliamentary journalism and sustained coverage of Nigeria’s legislative proceedings. The recognition celebrates his contributions to legislative reporting, media advocacy, and efforts toward strengthening accountability and public information within the…

Police Dismiss Officers Over Kidnapping, Robbery, Extortion in Rivers

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Police Force has intensified its internal cleansing efforts with the dismissal, arrest, and prosecution of officers allegedly involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, extortion, stealing, and abuse of office in Rivers State and surrounding areas. In a statement issued on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, the Force said the action reflects its renewed commitment to discipline, accountability, and institutional reform under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu. According to the statement, the affected officers allegedly betrayed the ethics and…

FG Unveils Drive to End Textile Import Dependence, Produces 10,000 Made-in-Nigeria T-Shirts

Emporium Reporters

The Federal Government has intensified efforts to revive Nigeria’s Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG) industry with the successful production of 10,000 made-in-Nigeria T-shirts under a six-month pilot scheme aimed at reducing dependence on imported textiles. The initiative, implemented through the National Cotton, Textile and Garment Industrial Transformation Programme (NCTG-ITP), was unveiled during the Phase I Showcase and Stakeholder Working Session held on Wednesday in Abuja. Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, described the programme as a major step toward repositioning Nigeria’s textile…

NUJ FCT Begins 2026 Press Week with Medical Outreach, Health Walk, Public Lecture

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, will commence its 2026 Press Week on Saturday, May 16, with a series of activities focused on responsible journalism, healthy living, and democratic accountability ahead of the 2027 general elections. The week-long programme, scheduled to run from May 16 to May 22, is themed: “2027 Election: Defending Nigeria’s Democracy in the Age of Disinformation.” The event is expected to bring together journalists, policymakers, civil society groups, media stakeholders, and government officials to discuss issues affecting Nigeria’s democratic process and…

MURIC Demands Sack of INEC Chairman Over Osun REC Redeployment

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called for the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, over what it described as “professional impropriety” in the redeployment of the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Barrister Mutiu Agboke. In a release signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the group alleged that the transfer of Agboke and his replacement with Mrs. Toyin Babalola, a retired INEC director, raised serious concerns about transparency and due process within the electoral body. MURIC said the controversy…

Fiscal Year Determined by Law, Not Calendar — Budget Office DG Clarifies Delay in Budget Reports

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu, has clarified that fiscal years are determined by legislative authorization rather than the conventional January-to-December calendar cycle, explained that this accounts for the delayed publication of recent Quarterly Budget Implementation Reports. In a statement issued on Thursday, Yakubu said the Budget Office acknowledged public concerns over the delay but stressed that Nigeria’s fiscal administration operates within constitutional and legal frameworks that may extend budget implementation beyond a standard calendar year. According to him, the recent delay followed the Repeal…

Nigeria Extradites Alleged Romance Scam Kingpin to U.S. Over $1.5m Fraud

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Police Force has extradited a suspected cyber fraudster, Samuel Ugberease, popularly known as “Putsammy”, “Putput”, and “Sammy”, to the United States to face charges related to online romance scams, wire fraud, and other financial crimes. The extradition was carried out through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, following the conclusion of legal proceedings and collaboration between Nigerian and United States law enforcement authorities. According to the police, Ugberease was extradited on Wednesday, May 14, 2026, after investigations linked him to a criminal syndicate accused of orchestrating romance…

CGC Adeniyi Canvasses Human-Centred Digital Transformation at UNILORIN Conference

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed his commitment to responsible digital transformation and innovation-driven governance, called for a human-centred approach to the deployment of artificial intelligence and disruptive technologies. Adeniyi made the call while delivering the keynote address at the 4th Biennial International Conference organised by the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, University of Ilorin, in collaboration with the Faculty of Philology, RUDN University. The conference, themed “Disruptive Technology: Human and Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Economy,” was held on Wednesday at the University…

Nigeria Pushes for Inclusive Global Order at BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in India

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability as key pillars for global development at the ongoing 18th BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi, India. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, noting that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, is representing the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the meeting holding on May 14 and 15, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Delivering Nigeria’s national statement at the…