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VIDEO; Omotola Jalade shares Valentine’s Day photos, opens up on insecurity over tummy scar acquired during emergency surgery
AFOLABI
Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde has showed her vulnerable side in a recent post she sgared on her photo and video sharing platform, Instagram.
Dwelling on the emergency surgery she underwent in 2024, the movie star affectionately known as Omosexy opened up on how her stomach used to be one of the best parts of her body and how much she loved it.
In a Valentine’s Day photo session, Omotola Jalade shared a beautiful video of herself with her top raised, exposing a bit of her tummy.
Moments later, she pulled her outfit down and shared how a moment of insecurity almost got to her but she shrugged it off and expressed gratitude for being alive.
The mother of four recalled having lan emergency surgery late last year, that left a scar on her tummy.
Omotola wrote about physical and emotional scars, stating that she remains unshaken by her scars because she has many things to be thankful for. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde wrote:
“Loving Yourself first is the greatest Val gift. Late Last year I had an Emergency Surgery… One of my Best parts of my body is my Tummy … Oh well … Not so perfect now…
During this shoot I forgot and grabbed my top during my pose and I heard a little voice say … there’s nothing to show anymore…
Not me ! That thing that’ll shake my Confidence has Not been created . I smiled and danced. I’m Alive … it’s just scars.
Some people’s Scars are Physical and Some are Emotional … but today , smile, dance and be proud Beautiful, You’re still here and you look darn good too !
What if I’m not perfect . Would you still Love me?”
Media
Famous Nigerian singer, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has been spotted shopping for hair with his new lover, Natasha, despite concerns raised by his family over his whereabouts.
A viral video making rounds on social media captured the singer and Natasha at a hair store, casually picking out items together.
This sighting comes amid allegations from 2Baba’s family, who recently petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS), claiming that he had gone missing.
It would be recalled that the singer’s mother had earlier expressed her disapproval of his current relationship, especially as his divorce from his estranged wife, Annie Idibia, is yet to be finalized.
The video of 2Baba and Natasha has sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with fans and critics weighing in on the unfolding situation.
While some expressed relief that the singer was safe, others questioned the ongoing family drama.
Former Big Brother Naija contestant Neo Mobor Akpofure has confirmed rumors of his split from costar and 43rd Miss Nigeria, Beauty Etsanyi Tukura with a Valentine’s Day post that has raised eyebrows.
The reality TV star shared photos of himself with a mystery woman, who is not Beauty, on February 14th.
The pictures show Neo dressed in a sleek black tuxedo, posing alongside the unidentified lady, who stunned in a bold red sheer lace dress.
The woman’s outfit featured a high slit, flowing train, and red high-heeled sandals, making for a striking Valentine’s Day look.
Neo’s decision to share photos with someone other than Beauty on Valentine’s Day has sparked intense speculation about the status of their relationship.
Fans and followers are now fully convinced that the couple have indeed gone their separate ways, since Beauty has also publicly confirmed the split.
In December 2024, Beauty Tukura officially confirmed her breakup from fellow reality star Neo Akpofure.
The disclosure was amid swirling rumours of their breakup after both stars unfollowed each other on Instagram.
Speaking during a red carpet interview, Beauty addressed her relationship status, offering clarity on the speculations. When asked directly if she was in a relationship, she described her current status as “complicated” and revealed that she is not seeing anyone at the moment.
“I’m not seeing anybody. I love a God-fearing man who can make me feel secure, encourage me, and support me to fly,” she stated, stressing her values of faith, security, and mutual support in a relationship.
Popular Nigerian singer, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Face, has allegedly been forced to announce his divorce from his wife, Annie Idibia, in a video posted on social media.
According to a popular Instagram blogger, Natasha, who is reportedly 2Face’s new lover, played a key role in the public revelation.
The blogger, Cutie Julls, claimed that Natasha initially posted an announcement about the singer’s split from Annie without his knowledge while he was asleep.
The post reportedly caught the attention of 2Face’s friends and management, prompting them to take it down and issue a statement suggesting his account had been hacked.
However, Natasha was allegedly displeased by this move and insisted that 2Face make a video confirming the separation.
According to the claims, she threatened to end their relationship and terminate her supposed pregnancy if he refused.
Left with no choice, the music star reportedly recorded the video under Natasha’s supervision, despite his family and management’s preference to keep the matter private.
The blogger wrote on her page;
“So on Sunday, 26th January 2025, Natasha was with 2ace and some friends. Whilst 2face was sleeping, Natasha took his phone and made this write up post announcing 2Face and Annie’s separation which the couple, 2face and Annie have kept away from the general public since their separation which is almost a year now.
Now, after the post, some of 2Face’s celebrity friends started calling his phones and that when he woke up from his nap. His management also called. So it was his management that drew his attention to the Instagram post. 2Face then asked his management to take down the post and handle the situation as he didn’t want it out yet. And also that he doesn’t want his family issues out at the point when a lot of the public have been blaming him for Annie’s condition which is already affecting the promotion of his latest song.
The management pulled down the post and put out the hacking statement to try and cover the damage caused by Natasha’s post.
Natasha got upset and insisted 2face do a video to confirm the separation or she will abort her supposed pregnancy, quit the relationship etc. Yes it’s true Annie and 2face are already heading for divorce. So 2face did the video which Natasha supervised and posted on 2Face’s Instagram.”
Tinubunomics – Presidency Shows Off Prices Of Rice, Tomatoes, Maize, Other Foodstuffs In The Market, Praise Tinubu
AFOLABI
The presidency on Friday, boasted that the policies put in place by President Bola Tinubu are responsible for the dwindling prices of foodstuffs and other commodities in the market.
The Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said the prices of major foodstuffs such as rice, millet, maize and tomatoes are dropping, and food inflation is getting curbed.
The presidential media aide noted that the prices of petrol are also stabilizing as the policies put in place by the Tinubu administration continue to impact positively on Nigerians.
“Tinubunomics continues to impact positively on both the economy and Nigerian citizens. Price inflation of most food stuff is being reversed. Prices of major foodstuffs are dropping. PMS prices are stabilizing,” Dare wrote via his ? account.
Not done, the media aide said the Kasuwan dawanau in Kano, is the biggest international grains market in West Africa and is back and thriving again under the Tinubu government.
“Kasuwan dawanau in Kano, North West is the biggest international grains market in West Africa. Millet, maize, rice, sorghum, and Ginger. Situated along 5 major Nigerian borders is back and thriving again,” he wrote.
The submission by Dare comes barely a week after the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, submitted that the policies and programmes of the current administration are yielding positive results.
Bwala urged Nigerians to ignore the naysayers and believe in the process introduced by President Tinubu, which focuses on the agenda of rebuilding Nigeria.
Naija News reports the presidential media aide gave the submission last Thursday via his account on the ? platform, where he gave a recap of what he said in a TV interview earlier in the day.
He listed some of the policies that have started yielding positive results to include the student loan initiative, which ensures access to tertiary education; conversion of vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), which is a cheaper fuel alternative; food security strategies; and investment in major infrastructural projects such as roads and railway.
A United States lawmaker, Scott Perry, has accused the U.S. Agency for International Development, USAID, of funding terrorist organisations, including Boko Haram, ISIS, and Al-Qaeda.
Perry, a Republican from Pennsylvania, made these claims on Thursday during the first hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, DOGE, The Economist reported.
The session, titled “The War on Waste: Stamping Out the Scourge of Improper Payments and Fraud,” focused on allegations of misappropriations of taxpayer funds.
He said: “Who gets some of that money? Does that name ring a bell to anybody in the room? Because your money, your money, $697 million annually, plus the shipments of cash funds in Madrasas, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, ISIS Khorasan, terrorist training camps. That’s what it’s funding.”
He said the USAID’s reported funding of $136 million for building 120 schools in Pakistan had “zero evidence” of the schools’ construction.
“You are funding terrorism, and it’s coming through USAID. And it’s not just Afghanistan, because Pakistan’s right next door.
“USAID spent $840 million in the last year, the last 20 years, on Pakistan’s education-related programme.
“It includes $136 million to build 120 schools, of which there is zero evidence that any of them were built. Why would there be any evidence? The Inspector General can’t get in to see them.
“But you know what? We doubled down and spent $20 million from USAID to create educational television programs for children unable to attend physical school.
“Yeah, they can’t attend it, because it doesn’t exist. You paid for it.
“Somebody else got the money. You are paying for terrorism. This has got to end.”
IN spite of the efforts of the governments at various levels and stakeholders to fight insecurity, Nigeria has remained a killing field.
In the first six weeks of 2025, no fewer than 805 lives have been lost to violence and insecurity across the country.
Among the dead are 28 soldiers, five police officers, and an official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, according to Saturday Vanguard’s checks and timeline in Nigeria Insecurity Tracker, NIT, compiled by Dataxpat.com.
The Nigeria Insecurity Tracker is an effort to chronicle and map insecurity and violence based on a weekly survey of media reports. The data include violent incidents relating to political, economic, and social grievances directed at the state or other affiliated groups, or the state employing violence to respond to those incidents.
The 805 death toll is based on reported incidents and the tally may be higher because many incidents are not reported or under-reported. And abducted victims who get killed in kidnappers’ dens are not tallied.
In the second week of January, the military said troops neutralised 156 terrorists and apprehended 464 suspects. And in the 31 days of January, the military said that troops eliminated 358 terrorists and arrested 431 suspects.
However, the 805 lives were fewer than the 1525 lost in the first six weeks of 2021. This indicates that efforts to fight insecurity are bearing fruits.
Timeline of killings in six weeks of 2025
JAN 1: A man and his son burned and killed their kinsman over alleged stealing of N25,000 jeans in Oguta LGA of Imo State.
JAN 1: Former Federal Controller of Works, AbdulRazaq Ajani was killed by unknown assailants in Ilorin, Kwara State.
JAN 1: A 27-year old woman killed her husband with a pestle over a misunderstanding at Lafiyagi Dzwafu village in Matcha LGA of Niger State.
JAN 2: A jealous and aggrieved man killed a Bishop over suspicion of having affairs with his wife in Olorunda LGA, Osogbo, Osun State.
JAN 3: 11 people lost their lives, four people were injured, and 31 huts were burnt to ashes during a communal clash at Gululu village, Jahun and Miga LGA of Jigawa State.
JAN 3: Suspected Lakurawa bandits attacked Natsini village in Argungu LGA of Kebbi State, killed two police officers and rustled an unspecified number of cows.
JAN 4: Some unknown gunmen killed two farmers while working on their farms in Odo-Ape community, Kabba-Bunu LGA, Kogi State
JAN 4: Six soldiers and 34 terrorists died during a firefight between troops and ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists at Sabin Gari Village in Damboa LGA, Borno State.
JAN 4: Security forces and local vigilantes neutralised several bandits estimated at 80 in Jibia LGA of Katsina State
JAN 4: Suspected bandits ambushed a village in Lusada LGA of Katsina State, killed four persons including the state’s Acting Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association MACBAN, Amafu Surajo, and kidnapped three persons.
JAN 4: Troops of 1 Brigade, Sector 2 Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma neutralised a notorious terrorist, Sani Russu in Tsafe LGA, Zamfara State.
JAN 4: Troops of 1 Brigade, Sector 2 Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma during an ambush operation neutralised some terrorists while others sustained fatal injuries at Kwanar Jollof in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State. Number of deaths estimated at 15.
JAN 5: No fewer than 18 people were killed in coordinated attacks across several communities in Orsu LGA of Imo State. The killings occurred in Umuhu-Okabia, Eziawa, Ihittenansa, Amaokwu and Amaebu
JAN 5: Unknown men killed three sons of a native doctor at Nise community in Awka South LGA of Anambra State.
JAN 6: Nine people were killed during a cult clash in Owo, Owo LGA of Ondo State.
JAN 6: 2 persons died in an IED explosion at Tsangayar Sani Uthman Islamiyya School in Byazhin area of Abuja.
JAN 6: The military air component conducted air interdiction on BH/ISWAP terrorists at Wulade in Gwoza LGA of Borno, killing several terrorists estimated at 30
JAN 7: Nigerian Army troops shot dead two suspects accused of killing four soldiers on protection duty in Rivers. They were neutralised by troops of 5 Battalion during a raid on their hideout in Kalaogbokolo, Ahoada West LGA, Rivers State.
JAN 7: Bandits attacked a joint team of Katsina State Community Watch Corps and vigilante members, who were returning from a condolence visit at Baure Village, Safana LGA of Katsina State and killed 21 persons.
JAN 8: Armed Cultists suspected to be members of the Greenlanders, invaded Igbogene Community a suburb of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital, and killed three persons.
JAN 8: Armed cultists suspected to be members of Greenlanders, invaded Igbogene Community a suburb of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital, and killed three persons.
JAN 9: A four-man gang killed two Uber drivers in Lagos
JAN 9: A 10-year old girl was killed by a man for rituals in Orhoakpi, Ethiope East, Delta State.
JAN 10: The troops of Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force North-West Operation Fansan Yamma dismantled terrorists’ hideouts in Fakai area of Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara. The troops in an offensive operation supported by the Air Component Operation Fansan Yamma cleared some terrorists’ camps in Fakai axis. “Some of the bandits’ camps cleared include that of Bello Turji and Mallam Ila, where troops neutralised over 25 terrorists with more than 18 others sustaining gunshot wounds
JAN 11: Hoodlums stabbed to death a commercial cyclist and took a way his motorcycle at Daku village, Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja
JAN 11: 16 persons said to be vigilantes were mistakenly killed in a military airstrike in some communities in Maradun and Zurmi LGAs of Zamfara State.
JAN 11. Gunmen suspected to be cattle herders killed nine people and injured many others in Karu LGA of Nasarawa State.
JAN 11: Suspected herders hacked a farmer to death and raped a woman at Paikon Bassa community in Gurdi Ward of Abaji Area Council, Abuja.
JAN11: Kidnappers killed a vigilante and kidnapped his colleague at Igbe community in Ikorodu LGA of Lagos State.
JAN 12: Boko Haram insurgents killed 40 farmers, injured and kidnapped scores of others in Dumba community, Baga, Kukawa LGA of Borno State.
JAN 12: Boko Haram killed two civilians in Chibok village, burned church, and houses.
JAN 12: A Chinese national was stabbed and killed in his office by a man and his girlfriend at Ogere, Ogun State.
JAN 12: A 23-year old man stabbed and killed his 65-year old father after consuming ‘colorado’ at Amukpe, Sapele in Delta State.
JAN 13: Two persons were killed at Iwaro, Akoko South-East LGA of Ondo State following clashes among youths of Oka-Odo, Ebo and Owake communities.
JAN 13: 10 persons were reported dead in Tatara village, Panda, Nasarawa State following a night attack by suspected Fulani terror group.
JAN 14: Anambra Joint Security Force neutralised 5 alleged Biafra secessionists at Ufuma, Orumba LGA of Anambra State.
JAN 14: A gospel singer, Timileyin Ajayi killed and butchered his girlfriend, Salome Adaidu, at Agwan Sarki, Orozo, Nasarawa State
JAN 14: The Defence Headquarters said troops in the last one week, neutralised 156 terrorists, apprehended 464 suspects and rescued 181 kidnapped hostages in different operations across the country.
North-East
In the North East, Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai eliminated 76 terrorists, arrested 72 suspects and rescued eight kidnappers’ hostages during the week.
In the North-West, Buba said the troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, neutralised 64 terrorists, arrested 69 persons and rescued 62 kidnapped hostages.He added that the air component killed scores of terrorists within Alawa Forest in Shiroro LGA of Niger as well as Maikaho and Mashigin areas of Kebbi.
JAN 15: Cultists shot and killed a HND final year student of Akwa State Polytechnic , Ikot Osurua, Akwa Ibom State.
JAN 16: The troops of Defence Headquarters Special Operations Brigade, neutralised six terrorists in Gudu LGA of Sokoto State and recovered weapons.
JAN 16: A man stabbed his brother-in-law to death at Ubomiri in Mbaitoli LGA, Imo State..
JAN 16: A 23-year old man machetted his father to death over refusal to give him N5000 at Amukpe, Sapele LGA of Delta State.
JAN 16: A Computer Science student of Westland Polytechnic, Ilobu, Ogun State was shot and killed in the town by gunmen suspected to be from Ifon community.
JAN 18: An officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Assistant Superintendent (ASP) Aminu Salisu, was shot and killed during an operation in Awka, Anambra.
JAN 18: Joint security personnel in Katsina State foiled bandits’ attack on Ruwan-Doruwa village, Dutsin-ma LGA and neutralised seven suspected bandits.
JAN 19: A man alleged to be a cultist, Nasir Isiaka, was killed by two masked men at Owo in Owo LGA of Ondo State.
JAN 19: Gunmen shot Celestial Church prophet to death in during Sunday service at Idiroko, Ogun State.
JAN 19: Police confirmed one person dead in a clash between the people of Omege-Agalagu and Ukwuinyima Communities in Ikwo LGA of Ebonyi State.
JAN 20:A robbery attack at Ngalda Market in Yobe State led to the loss of seven lives and injuring of 11 others.
JAN 20: The Police killed a kidnap kingpin in Yola LGA of Adamawa State.
JAN 20: Military kills Turji’s son, several other terrorists estimated at 34 during a coordinated operations between troops of Operation Fansan Yamma and the air component along Shinkafi, Kagara, Fakai, Moriki, Maiwa and Chindo axis, Zamfara State.
JAN 20: An old woman, Kehinde Ojo, was stoned to death at Nawarudeen, along Isabo Road in Abeokuta. by 64-year-old, woman and others.
JAN 21: The Vice Chairman of the Civilian Joint Taskforce (CJTF) in Kawuri. Godori, Borno State stepped on a bomb believed to have been planted by terrorists a day earlier and died in the instant explosion.
JAN 22: Troops neutralised Bello Turji’s second-in-command, and six others around Gebe and Isa LGAs of Sokoto State.
JAN 22: An NYSC corps member, serving at FCE Pankshin, Safwan Adamu Fade, was reportedly beaten and severely injured by unknown hoodlums at the Pankshin township stadium. He died later.
JAN 22: Gunmen killed two persons, abducted five, and injured one at Akansan Garmadi in Rumaya, Kaduna State.
JAN 22: A woman set ablaze on January 21 by her husband over alleged infidelity died at Eziezekwe village, Abagana in Njikoka LGA of Anambra State.
JAN 24: Gunmen ambushed and killed an undertaker along Egbe-Ogbe-Ponyan Road in Yagba East LGA of Kogi State
JAN 25: Police neutralise 6 IPOB/ESN men in Imo
JAN 25: Man strangled his father to death for not buying him motorcycle at Eberi Quarters, Isua Akoko, Ondo State.
JAN 25: Troops killer terrorist commander and 78 others in operations across the country
JAN 26: 22 soldiers were killed in a Jihadist suicide attack in Maiduguri, Borno State.JAN 26: Troops eliminate 70 terrorists in Borno
JAN 27: Herdsmen killed two persons in Mbiri community, Ika North-East LGA of Delta state.
JAN 28: Five persons were reportedly killed during an attack by gunmen at Ajegunle-Powerline community in Akure North LGA of Ondo State.
JAN 28: Bandits killed a herder and abducted others at Dogon-Kurmi near Tafa LGA of Niger State.
JAN 28: Gunmen killed a woman they abducted with her husband, son and husband’s elder brother at Chikakore, Kubwa in Bwari Area Council, FCT Abuja.
JAN 29: 2 persons were killed when gunmen invaded Vanguard Media Staff Cooperative Society land in Lokoji community, Ogun State.
JAN 29: Police neutralised 5 suspected kidnappers and rescued three victims at Sagamu-Ijebu Ode expressway, Ogun State.
JAN 30: Bandits killed three and abducted 24 during attacks on four communities in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State
JAN 30: Bandits kidnapped the 4-year-old son of a council chairman, and killed his aide at Malumfashi LGA of Katsina State.
JAN 30: Anambra’s security outfit raided dreaded Lilu forest in Ihiala LGA, and killed 6 gunmen.
JAN 31: Herders killed five labourers at Ajegunle-Powerline community in Akure North LGA of Ondo State.
JAN 31: Terrorists killed a family (husband, wife and their child) while asleep at Lighitlubang village in Mangu LGA of Plateau State.
FEB 1: Gunmen killed one person and abducted nine at Piroje village in Lau LGA of Taraba State.
FEB 1: One person was shot dead while four others were abducted by kidnappers at Shendai, Namu district in Quaan-Pan LGA of Plateau State.
FEB 2: 15 persons were killed when herders attacked Amegi Nkalagha community in Ishielu LGA of Ebonyi State.
FEB 2: 23 bandits surrendered, and one was killed at Amar village of Karim Lamido LGA of Taraba State.
FEB 3: Three persons were killed in a renewed bloody clash between rival cult groups in Onne, Eleme LGA of Rivers State.
FEB 3: Gunmen invaded Esa-Oke in Obokun LGA of Osun State, killing four people.FEB 3: Clash between residents and security agents claimed four lives during a demolition exercise at Rimi Zakara, Ungogo LGA of Kano State.
FEB 3: A man stabbed a police inspector to death at Manigi village in Masegu LGA of Niger State for marrying his son’s girlfriend, and causing the son heartbreak.
FEB 3: Gunmen killed two persons and kidnapped many at Galadimawa in Rumaya, Kaduna State.FEB 4: Three siblings were killed, and their bodies stuffed in a deep freezer in Nnewichi, in Nnewi North LGA of Anambra state.FEB 4: Four were confirmed dead in the kingship tussle between Esa-Oke community of Obokun LGA of Osun State.FEB 4: kidnappers killed one, and abducted four in Shendai community of Namu District, Plateau State.FEB 4: Gunmen invaded Ijegun-Egba community in Oriade LCDA of Lagos, killed two persons and injured several others.FEB 4: Two people were killed by Improvised Explosive Device, IED, planted by Boko Haram terrorists on their way to a market along Harang and Jibhuhwui villages of Hawul LGA, Borno State.FEB 4: Bandits killed a vigilante and kidnapped 6 girls in Pandogari community, Rafi LGA of Niger State.FEB 4: A woman was killed by a stray bullet during a clash between the Bobousnand Greenlanders at Swali Ultran Modern Market, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
FEB 5: Gunmen killed the Chief Security Officer, CSO, of the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Richard Timothy and his 23-year old son, Silas, at their Igwuruta-Ali residence near Port Harcourt.FEB 5: The decomposing remains of Anambra House of Assembly lawmaker, Justice Azuka, who was kidnapped on December 24, 2024 was found at the Second Niger Bridge.FEB 5: At least five persons including All Progressives Councillorship aspirnt in the last local council polls, Amedu Agaba, reportedly lost their lives while several others sustained injuries during a bloody clash between suspected armed herdsmen and local hunters at Okpomaju village of Okete Ward in Otukpo LGA of Benue State.The killings were after a February 4 peace meeting after one herder and two hunters had been killed in the area.FEB: The Police neutralised two bandits at Gwana district in Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi State during a tactical operation in collaboration with hunters.FEB 6: Bandits killed one and kidnapped the former Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga, and nine others at Tsiga village, Bakori LGA, Katsina State.FEB 6: A female student of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, was kidnapped by unknown gunmen, while a stray bullet killed a woman in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.FEB 7: A 37-year old man killed his 45-year old elder brother overfood at Adegbe village, Abagana in Njikoka LGA of Anambra State.FEB 7: Bandits killed 12 traders and abducted four in Katsina State.FEB 7-8: No fewer than 44 terrorists were killed and 25 injured in a co-ordinated attacks across multiple fronts by troops at Kashabawa, Bwarare, Zaki and Sakaraw in Zamfara State.FEB 8: Assailants killed an uber driver and snatched his vehicle in Lagos.FEB 9: No fewer than 19 persons died after Deybam and Icelanders cult groups clashed in Obelle community, Emohua LGA of Rivers State.FEB 9: A trigger-happy police man shot and killed a man at Omagwa, Rivers State.FEB 9: Bandits killed one and abducted many during an attack on Rarah community in Rabbah LGA, Sokoto State.FEB 9: Armed robbers killed the pastor of Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA, in Lubo community of Yamaltu/Deba LGA of Gombe State.FEB 9. Police killed a bandit and lost two personnel in separate incidents in Yobe State.FEB 9. Two persons died during a fight by two rival cult groups in Wadata area of Makurdi, Benue State.FEB 10: Bandits killed a trader along Dandume Road, Katsina.FEB 10: The Police confirmed the killing of three persons in a cult clash in Wadata area of Makurdi, Benue State
A chieftain of the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, Dr Usman Bugaje, has said there is a need to jettison rotational presidency in Nigeria, arguing that it has plunged the country into socio-economic crisis.
Bugaje, who made a case for a collegiate system on the Morning Show, an Arise TV programme, also described the All Progressives Congress, APC-led, government as a disaster. Excerpts:
Are you saying that this idea of one good turn deserves another, which is that the South will do eight years, the North will do eight years, is already off the table? Does the North want to vie for presidency in 2027 and break the rhythm?
I think this is a very familiar conversation in the last 25 years. I think so much has changed that that kind of conversation is actually outdated. Yes, politics is about popular participation. Yes, inclusion is very important. Yes, people need to make sense or have good reasons to be able to participate. But I think what has happened in the last 25 years is the fact that we have tried these kinds of models of the North and the South and this and that, yet the country is only going down the drain. I think it is time to start a new conversation, to start rethinking. How can we have democracy with development? We are having democracy with all these things of North and South and East and West and whatever you have, yet the country is not developing. If anything, it is actually de-developing. It is going down the drain.
All the indices of development are taking a nosedive. So I would rather say, yes, it is important that we recognise every part of this country and become inclusive, but I think we will be losing out on the challenges that are facing us if we continue with all the problems we have to start talking about the North and the South.
I would rather be part of a new conversation that starts thinking about what team do we require to fix this country that is about to break down, that is about to be run aground by reckless and irresponsible politicians who have held power in the last 25 years. They are not ashamed of the fact that they have not performed well, yet they are still talking about ambitions. Everybody has an ambition to be this, ambition to be that. People are talking about their turn. What have you done with those turns? They have destroyed this country. We can’t continue with this kind of conversation.
Yes, like I said, we have to recognise everybody, we have to include everybody, we have to consult, but this should not deteriorate to a level where we start looking at turn-by-turn kind of presidency, or we become fixated with this formula of the North and South or some people say: ‘this tribe has not had its chance, so they have to have their chance’. Those tribes who had their chance, what have they done? Is it a tribal matter in the 21st century?
Why didn’t you express this position when the North benefited from the turn-by-turn arrangement?
For me, this is not the first time I started talking about it. I talked about it from 2019 through to 2023. Before then, even from 2015. I have consistently said Buhari’s presidency was a disaster. And there are so many other ways that, you know, things that he did by, you know, putting too many northerners in the security sector for no benefit at all from the North. And I thought Buhari’s experience is itself sufficient evidence that this idea of putting somebody from one part of the country to become president doesn’t really work. It doesn’t make sense. Because what do you want him to do? To favour his own part of the country and to abandon others? This is very naïve to say the least.
The point I am making is that you can achieve inclusion and not at the expense of development. There is no part of the country that has monopoly of competence. There are competent Nigerians among the South-West, among the South-East, among the South-South, North-East, North-West, North-Central.
Why don’t you pick those competent Nigerians from the different parts of the country to fix and run your country? Why do you go for people who are barely educated, people who are crooks, people who clearly have no idea of where to take this country, who cannot engage the world, who don’t even understand. All they know is primitive consumption and primitive accumulation and very perverse tastes and consumptions and just simply running the country down. This is why I said inclusion is a very critical aspect of governance and you can achieve that and still achieve development by bringing more competent people.
There are technocrats who can fix the energy sector, who can fix the transportation sector, who can improve all the infrastructure. The few that have come into government have been elbowed out. Some of them have been chased out of government because corruption will not accept the kind of thing that they want to do.
And I feel very sad. I mean, we and quite a number of Nigerians, and by the way, across the board, not just the North, the East, the West, we stood up to the military during the time of Sanni Abacha. We fought for democracy, but this is not the kind of democracy we want to see. We want a democracy that takes cognisance of competence and recognises knowledge in the 21st century as the greatest capital and tries to mobilise. Nigeria has a lot of these talents, and has a lot of competent people. Why don’t we bring them into governance? Why don’t they lead the process? Why do we need some politicians who don’t understand the world in the 21st century, who have no record of doing anything competent anywhere, and all their life is a life of sleaze and corruption, and because they have accumulated money through those corrupt practices, then they buy everybody off, and now we have a National Assembly that is literally for sale, money, I mean they cannot stand up to the President on anything.
So this is the point. I think we have to change the conversation, because we need a new narrative, and we have to be constantly aware, and I keep repeating this fact, that 2030, just another five years from now, we are going to be 300 million. Already today, we have more than 33 million people on the verge of starvation.
The United Nations, UN, bodies quote these figures. We have a deficit in grains alone for last year, more than 30 million metric tonnes. We have 20 million children out-of-school, the highest around the world. We have all these terrible statistics, which we are not addressing. These politicians are not discussing these matters. They are discussing my ambition, my time, who will be the next President. We have to form a coalition to chase President Tinubu out, just like we did with former President Goodluck Jonathan. When you chase him (Tinubu) out, what are you going to do? What are you going to offer? What is the new thinking?
How do you suggest that inclusivity and representation are balanced out?
I think the presidential ticket should not be clouded by this North and South thing. I think we have to prioritise knowledge, competence, courage and character. In fact, the most important thing is the character. Honestly, for me, yes, the North, in terms of size, is 78 per cent of the size of the country. The whole of the states of the North-East, you can put them in Niger and they will still have another space for the whole of the size of the North-East, and even there will be land remaining. Yes, that is it. This is geography. There is nothing we can do about that. But the point I am making is that we must not lose sight of the fact that this country is sinking, and if we continue with that kind of North and South thing, then we lose sight of the fact that this country cannot develop. I think we need to change the conversation.
Would you be talking in this manner if a Northerner was the president?
I did talk this way when President Buhari was there.
But in 2019, the ACF declined support for only Buhari, but said they would support other Northern candidates for presidency…
If you want the ACF’s position, then you should get the spokesman of the ACF to answer that question. I, as Usman Bugaje, have not made that statement, and I don’t believe, and I have made it very clear that while inclusion is important, I do not insist that a president must come from a particular part of the country beyond the fact that we should make sure that we prioritise competence, we prioritise character, we prioritise the courage.
There is an unwritten rule that says, you scratch my back, I scratch your back…
I don’t believe in that. I don’t believe in scratching backs. During the time of Buhari, I was at the forefront in criticising the way he was ruling. And in 2019, I didn’t support him. In 2023, I didn’t even support the APC. I made it very clear. The point I am making is that there are people who say the kind of things you are saying, but I am not one of them. I have my own view. I have my own understanding. I am a Northerner and I care for the North. I feel every part of this country should be developed. Otherwise, we cannot have peace. In fact, you have to go global. And you know this very well, that a lot of global institutions are trying to reduce inequality around the world, the climate change, because whatever happens to one part of the world is going to affect the other part of the world. The globe has become a village.
So, the point I am making is, let us not continue with this conversation of the North and the South. Let us change the conversation and start a new conversation about how we can get competent people with character and courage to run this country.
Do you believe Atiku Abubakar can get the job done?
In 2023, I supported Atiku Abubakar because of all the candidates that came out, he was the one that I thought was going to do it.
Is it safe to say you are an Atiku man?
I am not an Atiku man. I am not anybody’s man. When I was in the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN (defunct), Atiku left and I remained. If I were his man, I would have left with him. So I am my own person. And I don’t believe in anybody’s man. I believe that people should have the courage of their own conviction.
If Atiku runs in 2027, would you support him?
No. No. In fact, if you have been listening to what I have been saying, it is that this idea of supporting one candidate with whatever combination or balance of the ticket to go into the Villa to lock the gates and then the wife would become the Queen Elizabeth of the first and the children would become some prince and princess is outdated. We must not allow this country to fall into the hands of these kind of people. I would rather, and I am not talking about Atiku here, I am talking about all of them. I would rather we do a collegiate leadership where we get the best and the brightest, and there are many of them in this country, to come forward and salvage their country. I am not going to support someone because he has been an old politician who has been around for some time.
The National Publicity Secretary of the ACF had said Nigerians were sold an anti-corruption dummy in 2015. From all you have said, you are not satisfied with the last eight to 10 years of the APC government. What are some of the lessons that we can learn from where you feel like they haven’t performed very well?
My view about the APC government is very well-known. I have made it very clear. I have put it in writing. It has appeared. And if you want the view of the ACF, they have a spokesman who can speak for them and probably defend whatever they say.
For me, the APC government from Buhari to date is a disaster for this country. I am not saying the PDP is going to do any better. I have said this several times that I don’t trust the APCs, the PDPs, the APGAs, the Labours. I don’t trust any of these political parties as they stand at the moment. What I would want, what I think would work for Nigeria is a collegiate leadership made of the best and the brightest. We did attempt to do that.
If you remember, we launched a platform called Rescue Nigeria Project. What we were trying to do then, and we have not given up, is to get some of the best and the brightest, people who can really fix the problems of this country, not politicians who are just out to make money and who do not even understand the terrain. They are oblivious of what is happening around the world. And therefore, they don’t read books. They don’t engage in debates. They don’t share information around the world. And they are fixated about how they distribute rice to these poor, ordinary Nigerians who have no idea of what is happening.
I want to speak to the phenomenon of incumbency. Because earlier in the week, we heard a commentary from former Governor El-Rufai where he was saying that he thinks President Tinubu will get the Goodluck Jonathan treatment. You have already expressed your views about the performance of President Tinubu. You have also expressed your views about former President Buhari’s performance. However, he was able to get a second term. Why do you think these two Southern presidents are the ones who are predicted to only do one term? What do you think are the decisive factors?
I think you need to get back to the time of Jonathan and try to see the kind of position I have held. As far as I can remember, I have been consistent on this matter. If you cannot perform, you leave. What is the performance of the budget of 2024 for this particular president? My figure is that the budget performance was only 22 per cent. Do you think these kinds of people should be allowed to continue? Forget about the fact that that he is from the South or from the North or from anywhere. For me, wherever he comes from, if he cannot perform, he should leave. Simple.
So this idea of saying that because I am from the north, I need a northern. We have tried it. Even those who tried it, they have now seen that this does not work. What will work for this country is people of character, people of competence, people with the courage to be able to do the right thing.
And there are many. But the political culture and the political arrangement will not allow them. And you don’t wait for these politicians to allow you. We have to struggle to find our way, find a platform, mobilise the country and try. This incumbency that you’re talking about, look at what’s happened in Senegal. I mean, Macky Sall was there, and yet these young people, one of them even came from the prison. Things are changing. You can look at the events in Kenya. So these things are, I mean, the dynamics are different.
If you had not supported Atiku in the last election, who would you have supported next?
Honestly, I didn’t know Peter Obi enough to support him. I have been in this business for 25 years, and I saw there are ways you measure people. You size them up. And so the people that I saw around him are not people that are ready to take the nation together.
They were all basically reacting or angry about a particular part of the country. They were all fuming and trying to go on a vengeance. So that was my worry. And I would have supported Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party, SDP. He comes across to me. Just listen to me. Because he comes across to me as somebody who understands the terrain of the SDP. He comes across as somebody who understood this country. I don’t have a full background of what he has been. But as a person, he comes across as somebody who knows what he wants to do.
Popular Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo, has unveiled fresh details about the next stage of her daughter Priscilla Ojo’s wedding, set to take place in Lagos.
In a recently shared video, Iyabo disclosed that the much-anticipated weddingcelebration will be held in April and will be nothing short of a carnival.
She also revealed that the official colour code for the event is olive green with a touch of gold and encouraged fans to clear their schedules for the big day.
Priscilla, who had her civil wedding in Tanzania, was seen in the company of her fiancé, Juma Jux, and their close friend, Enioluwa Adeoluwa, who made headlines after catching the bridal bouquet at the ceremony.
The trio was captured enjoying a lively party, with Iyabo Ojo enthusiastically spraying money on her daughter as she danced.
Enioluwa, who has remained a close companion of Priscilla, joined in the celebration, dancing with the couple while Tanzanian singer Juma Jux entertained guests with a live performance.
The family of popular Nigerian singer, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2face, has petitioned the Department of State Services over his whereabouts, declaring him missing.
In a petition signed by their lawyer, Wilson Anuge, dated February 7, the Idibia family stated that the singer, also known as 2Baba, had been missing since 10 February 2025 and had not been seen since.
The family explained that the 2face also known as 2Baba left his residence on that day in his loungewear, suggesting that he was going for his habitual walk, but he never returned home.
“We are writing to urgently seek your assistance regarding a profoundly troubling situation involving a member of the Idibia family, Mr Innocent Idibia (also known as Tuface or 2Baba), whom our client reasonably believes has been missing since Monday, February 10, 2025.
“We believe that Mr Innocent left his residence in the early hours of 10 February 2025 in his loungewear, suggesting that he was going for his habitual walk, but he has not returned home since then. Despite the best efforts of his family, staff, and the management of his record label to reach or locate him—including contacting his friends and acquaintances—they have been unable to establish any contact or ascertain his whereabouts.
“This disturbing situation, coupled with the fact that those who should have heard from him have not done so for over 72 hours, has left his entire family deeply concerned,” the petition read in part.
The family noted that 2Baba had never gone missing before, nor had he ever abandoned his work for such an extended period. They added that it was out of character for him to be completely out of touch.
They also expressed concern over calls from several of his close friends who had received messages from what appeared to be his social media accounts soliciting financial assistance.
“These messages are alarming, as Mr Innocent is financially independent and has never required assistance in such a manner. This has led his family to suspect that his identity may have been compromised and that someone may have abducted him, actively manipulating him to exploit his contacts for monetary gain.
“The implications of this situation are grave, and the possibility of foul play or coercion cannot be overlooked. As a family, our clients are deeply worried not only about his physical safety but also about the potential misuse of his identity while he remains unaccounted for.”
The family, therefore, requested the intervention of the DSS, urging the agency to use its resources and expertise to locate 2Baba.
“It is worthy of note that the victim is a legend and holds a celebrity status in the Nigerian music industry, with countless youths and citizens looking up to him—not to mention his wife, children, relatives, and employees, who are now traumatised. His musical empire has also been left in a state of paralysis as a direct consequence of the suspect’s criminal act of abducting him and rendering him incommunicado.
“Our humble request is that you intervene urgently to investigate, locate, and rescue the victim from wherever the suspect is currently detaining him.”
PUNCH Online reports that a video went viral on Thursday showing the singer proposing to a lawmaker in the Edo State House of Assembly, Natasha Osaruwa, just hours after professing his desire to marry her.
The proposal came amid reports of his planned divorce from his estranged wife, Annie Idibia.
Meanwhile, 2Baba’s mother, Rose Idibia, released a video on Friday, urging Nigerians to plead with Natasha to release her son, stating that he had not been himself lately.
More...
- He’s peddling falsehoods,says Information Minister
- We’ll meet in court, says House member Agbese
- Onwusibe: No comment because we are already in court
Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan drew angry reactions from the Federal Government and two members of the House of Representatives yesterday after alleging that National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu and three Reps demanded a $150 million bribe from him during the investigation of his company in Nigeria.
Information and national Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris said the allegations were outrageous and defamatory.
He asked Nigerians to disregard the falsehoods.
Deputy Spokesperson of the House Philip Agbese dismissed the allegations as baseless and gave Gambaryan a seven day ultimatum to retract his words or face legal action.
Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Crimes Ginger Obinna Onwusibe called it a lie from the pit of hell.
The third Rep, Peter Akpanke,could not be reached despite strenuous efforts to get his reaction.
Gambaryan, a US citizen, was arrested on a business trip to Nigeria in February 2024 and later charged alongside his company Binance with laundering $35.4m which they denied.
Nigeria accused the digital platform – where investors can buy, sell and trade cryptocurrencies – of fixing exchange rates and currency speculation leading to the free-fall of the Naira.
Binance’s Africa regional manager Nadeem Anjarwalla, a British-Kenyan dual national who was arrested with Gambaryan had fled Nigeria shortly after the two men were put under house arrest.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) however withdrew the charges against Gambaryan last October for medical reasons,although separate tax evasion charges against Binance remain in place. Binance has also denied those charges.
Yesterday he took to X (formerly Twitter) to accuse Ribadu and the Reps of trying to extort money from him.
He said:”At the House meeting, there were three members present. Two of them were Peter Akpanke and Philip Agbese, both working under the leadership of Ginger Obinna Onwusibe. “There was a third House member, but I don’t recall his name. They set up fake cameras and media to make the meeting appear official, but the cameras weren’t even plugged in. As you may already know, this ended with them asking for a $150 million bribe, paid in cryptocurrency into their personal wallets. A Mickey Mouse operation at its best.
“@NuhuRibadu invited us to the official meeting and worked through Sa’ad Abubakar. Another key figure in this situation was Hamma Adama Belloji. Ogunjobi was just a pawn; they used him too. This was a sold as a friendly meeting with the NSA, the head of the SEC, and the CBN governor and include the discussion of the bribe that was solicited by the House of Representatives.”
“The $26 billion figure they kept pushing publicly as some mystery money escaping Nigeria is complete BS. This information was provided in response to their request and was simply cumulative trade data for Nigerians on the platform. This money didn’t leave Nigeria—it was just people buying and selling crypto. For example, if you trade $100 a hundred times, that’s $10,000 in trade volume, but in reality, you only used $100. Again, just another example of them lying to cover up their BS investigation.
“They lied about Nadeem escaping during mosque prayers. In reality, he returned and escaped afterward. I don’t know exactly how he managed to flee. He emailed me in November, but we haven’t discussed the details of his escape. It’s possible he paid someone off, but I have no proof.
“Nadeem did not escape lawful detention—we were being held illegally.
There was a lot of noise about using Interpol to capture Nadeem. As someone who has been involved in multiple extradition cases, I can confidently say this was a joke. Extradition is a lengthy legal process, and no rational judge in Kenya or wherever would ever approve extradition for someone who escaped illegal detention at the hands of rogue law enforcement—especially when that detention involved holding employees hostage to pressure their employer. All noise.
They tried to use us to violate international privacy laws by demanding user data on all Nigerians to target opposition members allegedly ‘manipulating the price of the naira.’ “However, they all knew that the naira’s devaluation was a direct result of Tinubu’s monetary policy, which depegged the naira from the dollar. I’m not saying this policy decision was wrong, but everyone understood that removing government intervention would lead to extreme devaluation. Instead of acknowledging this, they used Binance as a scapegoat.”
Gambaryan is peddling falsehoods, says FG
Idris,in a statement last night,said while the Federal Government was reluctant to engage Gambaryan, due to the high-level diplomatic intervention that resolved his case, it had a duty to “set the record straight to prevent his falsehoods from gaining traction.”
He said: “The first visit of Mr. Gambaryan and his colleagues to Nigeria was at their own discretion, and the Government was not officially involved. However, when the Government’s attention was drawn to an alleged bribery demand during that trip, an investigation was immediately launched, despite there being no formal complaint from anyone.
“Mr. Gambaryan’s second visit to Nigeria was part of a wider probe into the criminal manipulation of the Nigerian currency through peer-to-peer platforms like Binance, but investigators were frustrated by the tactics deployed by Gambaryan and his team.
“Mr. Gambaryan was released by the Nigerian government in October 2024 on humanitarian grounds and following a high-level diplomatic intervention that ended with tangible benefits for Nigeria. The government rejected Binance’s offer of a $5 million down payment in exchange for Mr. Gambaryan’s freedom, in favour of a more beneficial settlement with the American government.
“We categorically deny the retaliatory claims made by Mr. Gambaryan against Nigerian officials involved in his case, and we urge the public to disregard these false accusations in their entirety.
“It is essential to note that Mr. Gambaryan’s allegations are not only unsubstantiated but also lack credibility, given his apparent motive to discredit and intimidate those who ensured he faced justice.
“However, we are confident that both the Nigerian and American judicial systems will provide Mr. Gambaryan with a fair opportunity to substantiate his claims in court. Until then, we advise the public to exercise caution and not be swayed by Mr. Gambaryan’s unfounded and malicious claims.”
Omokri: It’s a false flag operation to distract Nigerians
Social critic,Reno Omokri said Gambaryan’s mention of the name of Ribadu and his office was a false flag operation designed to distract Nigerians from “revelations that USAID funded Boko Haram.”
Reacting on X,Omokri said: “The lies by Tigran Gambarya against Malam Nuhu Ribadu and the Office of the National Security Adviser are a deliberate distraction designed to deflect attention from the terror funding scandal involving USAID.
“Discerning Nigerians may have noticed that Mr. Gambarya made his wild allegations precisely an hour after Republican U.S. Congressman Scott Perry revealed that certain U.S. high officials had been funding Boko Haram. Exactly an hour after Congressman Perry unveiled those revelations, Mr. Tigran Gambarya suddenly posted his false allegations on X.
“This is a man who has been roaming free in the United States for weeks. Why now?
“Nigerians should note that Mr. Tigran Gambarya is a functionary of certain agencies who were involved in acts of economic sabotage against Nigeria, which included providing a platform for siphoning $25 billion out of Nigeria annually.
“Nigerians may also recall that after Binance was delisted by the government and ceased operating in Nigeria, the Naira rose sharply, appreciating by 36.4% in one day. This caused President Tinubu to issue a statement on video praising the ‘seismic shift’ of our currency, which had gone from ₦1598 to $1 on Thursday, March 21, 2024, to ₦1,382 to $1 the following day, Friday, March 22, 2024.
“It is, therefore, not surprising that Mr. Tigran Gambarya, who was a former agent, would now come out to make his fallacious claims just as it was revealed that some interests were funding terror in Nigeria through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which Congressman Perry says was making multimillion Dollar annual payments to Boko Haram at a time when the Obama and Biden regimes were refusing to sell weapons to Nigeria.
“This is a typical distraction strategy, and Nigeria should not fall for it. The swamp is desperate and, therefore, clutching at straws.
“Malam Nubu Ribadu is an incorruptible leader who, as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, refused a $15 million cash bribe in 2006 and instead deposited the funds at the Central Bank of Nigeria. Tigran Gambarya is an allegedly corrupt economic saboteur who worked against Nigeria’s economic interests for people who Congressman Perry has now exposed as funders of terror.
“Who should you believe? The answer is obvious. This is a pure case of corruption fighting back!”
Agbese to Gambaryan: You’ve seven days to retract your allegation or…
Agbese,in a statement yesterday challenged Gambaryan to provide evidence of his bribe allegation or face the consequences in court.
Agbese who said he was outraged by the allegations said:” I was not part of any meeting with any Binance executive regarding money for any purpose. The leadership of the Committee took the matter to court, and Binance has already apologized.
“Let it be on record that I am not a member of the Committee on Economic and Financial Crimes. I visited my colleague, Hon. Peter Akpanke, in his office, where he was meeting with some visitors about an activity of his Committee, with Hon. Peter Anakwe, a member of the Committee present. We exchanged pleasantries and, in character with my person as an avid pursuer of knowledge, discussed Binance’s activities that did not include any demand from anyone.
“It was during this visit to the office of Hon. Peter Ankpanke, with Hon. Peter Anekwe present, that he told me they were interfacing with Binance Team from abroad over a referral to their Committee. What transpired between the two of them and the Binance executive after I left the office is left to them. I never saw those visitors again after that chance meeting and did not afterwards attend any meeting with Binance executives, the EFCC, or the DSS.
“I am aware that when this issue was first raised, the Chairman of the Committee went to court and Binance apologised. So, all inquiries should be directed to the Committee, not to Hon. Philip Agbese.
“I have never used any cryptocurrency as I do not have a crypto wallet anywhere in the world, so I could not have asked for funds to be credited to a non-existent wallet.
“Gambaryan and his associate, who escaped from prison, should return to the EFCC and defend themselves. Instead of trying to implicate me, they should focus on addressing the allegations against them.
“As a consequence of the foregoing, I demand that Tigran Gambaryan publishes any evidence that links Hon. Philip Agbese to the issue. The man has spewed many other lies in his report about the government demanding information on opposition elements and other outrageous claims. I further demand that, failing to provide evidence as stated, Tigran Gambaryan must cause a retraction of his malicious claims and publication and apologise to me within the next seven days or face legal action from my lawyers.
“This is not the first allegation against me by a foreign entity. The first was that I work for the past government and the Armed Forces to promote Nigeria’s agenda, which shows the extent of desperation by entities that are interested in undermining public office holders they perceive as nationalistic.”
Agbese followed up with a WhatsApp message,saying: “”The fellow mentioned in his allegations that the Honourable members demanded for bribe from them and that it should be paid into their personal account.
“I want to state in my honour that I have no cryptocurrency account anywhere in the world. I have never transacted any business with any electronic currency since I was born and I challenge the accuser to supply the so-called crypto currency account belonging to me.”
Onwusibe: It’s a lie from the pit of hell
In his own response, Onwusibe said: “I had earlier refuted this last year as a lie from the pit of hell as I have had no personal contact with any Binance official even through phone.
“I have not. Well I won’t say much as I have sued them to court since last year for defamation so it doesn’t become subjudice.”
Efforts by our correspondent to reach Peter Akpanke yielded no fruit.
Calls to his mobile phone went unanswered while SMS and WhatsApp messages failed to go through.
‘Though We Were Not Happy With Buhari’s Tenure, Tinubu Too Will Serve Two Terms’ – APC Chieftain
AFOLABI
A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ayirimi Emami, has asserted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should be allowed to secure a second term at Aso Rock.
Naija News reports that Emani made this statement on Friday while presenting gift items valued in the millions of naira to numerous traders and fishermen from Ilaje in the Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.
Commenting on the forthcoming 2027 election, Emami noted that since former PresidentMuhammadu Buhari was allowed to serve eight years in office, Tinubu also should be given that opportunity.
Emami acknowledged that though, as a party, they were not happy with the previous government, the gesture extended to Buhari should also be extended to the incumbent President.
Commenting on the gift to the traders and fishermen, he said it was intended to express gratitude for their backing of President Tinubu’s candidacy, particularly during the party primaries and the general elections.
He said: “Let’s give Asiwaju a chance to rule. We gave Buhari a chance; it’s not that we were happy with the government.
“We fought our own brother to support Buhari. Now it’s the turn of Asiwaju, and they are coming again, saying we should fight. We say ‘no’. We are not going to fight. This man must complete his tenure. A lot of those ganging up were part and parcel of the last administration.
“For those ganging up, we will also hold our own meetings here. Tinubu must complete his eight years. We say no to gang-ups.”
He also insisted that there was no vacancy in the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
“No vacancy in the NDDC. We can only fight those who do not perform well. In the past six years, we have not seen an MD like this—it was as if the NDDC was non-existent,” he said.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Osifo Tony Emefile, as the new Director of Sports for the Nigeria Police Force.
Naija News reports that this was made known in a statement on Friday night by Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi.
Recall that the outgoing Force Director of Sports – Commissioner of Police (CP) Patrick A. Atayero, was appointed on 26th March 2020, shortly after the successful conclusion of the 12th Biennial Police Games (BIPOGA) tagged Anambra 2020.
The statement read: “The CP with the unflinching support of the IGP and Management of the Force, has certainly dug deeper the foundations of the Pillar of Nigerian Sports in the NPF, as evident in the many achievements recorded from 2020 till date.
“The incoming Director has the wealth of experience and seasoning to move the Force Sports to more prestigious heights. DCP Osifo was the former Police Machine Football Ace Striker, 1993/1994 Bournvita Award winner for highest goal scorer, former Board Member of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation 2013-2017, the pioneer Chairperson of the Police Scrabble Association, the current Chairman of Police Athletics Association as well as the Chairman of the Technical Sub-Committee for the 13th and 14th BIPOGAs. He also currently serves as the representative of the Force and the Security Consultant on the League Management Committee for the Nigeria Professional Football League.
“The Inspector-General of Police extends his heartfelt facilitation to the new Director of Sports, while charging him to improve on the feats recorded by his predecessor in order to upscale Sports development in the Nigeria Police Force.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Friday, arraigned 11 Chinese nationals before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over allegations of cybercrime, romance scams, and security breaches
The defendants, alongside their company, Genting International Company Limited, were docked before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on separate charges.
The defendants included Li Niu, Xiao Qinyun, Fu Zheng Yang, Xiao Yi, Bei Bei Linde Jun, Li Hang, Huan Livo, Wang Wei Tong Mo Ying, Gao Yang, Zebin Chen, and Yuan Zhibin all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
They are part of a 792-member syndicate allegedly involved in cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud, arrested in Lagos on December 10, 2024, during a surprise operation dubbed the ‘Eagle Flush Operation’.
The foreigners were arraigned on separate charges related to cyber-terrorism, cybercrimes, possession of documents containing false pretences, advance fee fraud, and identity theft.
Based on their pleas, prosecution counsel Ahmed Yerima, F.S. Mohammed, A.M. Dambuwq, and N.C. Mutfwang requested a trial date for the defendants to be remanded in a correctional facility.
Justice Aneke granted the order and then adjourned the matter until March 14 and 21, 2025, for the commencement of the trial.
One charge against Bei Bei Linde Jun states: “That you, BEI BEI LINDE JUN (female), an adult, and GENTING INTERNATIONAL CO. LIMITED, sometime between November 28, 2024, and December 10, 2024, at No. 7, Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, with the intent to defraud, willfully accessed computer systems organised to destabilise the social and economic structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by secretly employing several Nigerian youths for identity theft and other computer-related fraud. You thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2015 (as amended).”
The charge against Li Niu reads: “That you, LI NIU, sometime in 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, were found in possession of documents in which you falsely represented yourself as ‘LISA’, claiming to be a female from Singapore. You knew or ought to have known that this representation was false, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 6 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.”