The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has raided a suspected baby factory located inside one of the sprawling estates in the Ushafa area of Abuja, rescuing nine (9) pregnant girls.

NAPTIP said the victims were locked up in a rented apartment inside the estate by a yet-to-be-identified suspected trafficking agent after recruiting them through an online platform.

Spokesman of NAPTIP, Vincent Adekoga said in a statement on Wednesday, that the raid on the facility by its operatives followed a tip-off by a concerned citizen who noticed the unusual situation and movement around the area.

A  group of Peoples  Democratic Party (PDP) national officials have charged aggrieved leaders of the opposition party to accept the leadership of the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum or resign.

The national officials, at a press briefing, in Abuja, yesterday, said Damagum’s case was settled until December 2025. They said it was wrong for party members to be demarketing the party instead of exploring internal crisis resolution mechanisms.

The Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, who spoke on behalf of the national officials, said the demarketing of the party by aggrieved members must stop.

PDP leaders have been divided on whether Damagum should be replaced or allowed to continue as acting national chairman.  The division in the opposition party deepened recently with the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, affirming the nomination of former National Youth Leader, Sunday Ude-Okoye as replacement for Senator Samuel Anyanwu as national secretary.

However, Anyanwu has appealed the judgment while the appellate court has directed the parties to maintain the status quo.

Nevertheless, Osadolor, who noted that “all have sinned” said party stalwarts must bury their pride and join hands with the acting national chairman in the building of the party.

“Worrisome is the action of a member of the party who under the guise of ‘due process advocates’ act on behalf of self-serving leaders lurking behind the scenes mischievously causing misunderstanding in the party.

“This behavior is apparently self-serving on their path as it is not in the interest of the PDP in any way. It is ethically and morally wrong for members of the party to move around creating confusion instead of exploring our internal mechanism for peace.

“This is no longer the time for blame games. All have sinned. From the BoT chairman who endorsed an opposition governor, to candidates that negotiated and supported other party candidates with promises to get their return support, to NWC members and leaders that lost their polling units. 

“We must all come down from our high horses, forget pride for now and join hands with the party as led by Amb. Illya Damagum to reposition this party back to winning ways.  Court distractions and media demarketing of the PDP must stop forth with. You do not need to like the officers but the party is more important. If you want to resign and go, be a proper opposition, do not be here and be going from television house to radio house abusing the party.

“The case of the acting national chairman is settled till December, 2025, and on that of the national secretary, we’re waiting on the courts. Let’s learn to love and support PDP first and always.”

Osadolor added that the abysmal performance of the PDP in the last 10 years would continue except members get their acts together.

According to him, “from 2013 till date, personal ambitions have driven us to heights of pure mischief and arrogant use of power. This has led to agreements not being kept and the ambiguities in our Constitution being explored by those in position, even through the courts.

“We are all complicit by being perpetrators, supporters or silent. No one is coming to save us, we must stand up and become heroes, we brought ourselves here. Tomorrow beckons on us, to rise up and surmount these challenges.

“As we await the outcome of the ongoing litigations, let us work towards the upcoming constitutionally backed stakeholders engagements, embrace each other, and put plans in place to amend the ambiguities, the loop holes in our Constitution.

“Our individual ambitions must be within the ambit of the law and must be pursued with sincerity and loyalty to the party, not the mischief and arrogance that we always display.”

A non-governmental organization dedicated to the protection of human rights, International Human Right Today Initiative HRTI, led by Comrade Maiyasin, has filed a complaint with the Katsina State Police Headquarters, alleging that a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Dutsinma, CSP Bello Gusau, took a 15-year-old girl detained at the police station to his house, where she spent the night.

According to the organization, before taking the step to file the complaint, they conducted a thorough investigation and gathered evidence confirming that the girl spent the night at the DPO’s residence and not at the police station.

In an interview with DAILY POST, the organization’s leader stated, “The Katsina State Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Musa, has taken the matter very seriously. As a result, he set up an investigative committee and suspended the DPO from his duties pending the outcome of the investigation.”

Based on the findings gathered by the organization, Maiyasin stated, “The girl had initially gone missing before she was found and taken to the Dutsinma Police Station. Due to the lateness of the hour, she was left at the station to spend the night. However, the DPO instructed the girl’s relatives, who came to take her home, to leave her, claiming he would personally take her home in the morning.”

The next morning, when the girl’s relatives returned to the station to bring her food, they found that she was not there. The officers on duty in the morning shift informed them that she had not spent the night at the station. This led to a confrontation between the police and the girl’s relatives until she was eventually brought back to the station. However, she was wearing different clothes from those she had the previous night.

The organization claimed that the girl confirmed to them that she spent the night at the DPO’s house and that he had instructed her to go there. They further stated that they recorded her testimony to that effect.

DAILY POST obtained an audio recording where the girl’s father expressed his determination to seek justice for his daughter through the appropriate authorities.

After a detailed investigation, the organization submitted a formal complaint to the Katsina State Police Headquarters, urging the authorities to take appropriate action.

The spokesperson for the Katsina State Police Command , DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu confirmed to DAILY POST that the complaint was received and that an investigation is ongoing into the allegations.

The investigation is expected to reveal the truth and ensure justice is served.

Commerical banks in the country yesterday issued warnings to their customers about the rise in fake bank alerts, a tactic commonly used by fraudsters to deceive individuals and businesses.

According to statements from different banks seen by Daily Sun, these fake alerts often appear as genuine notifications of deposits or transfers, leading recipientto believe they have received money

Victims typically proceed to release goods or services without verifying the payment, only to realize later that the funds were never actually transferred.

This issue has become more prevalent with increasing digital transactions. Banks and regulatory authorities in Nigeria has constantly encouraged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities immediately.

Access Bank, in an email notification to its customers, said, “Dear valued customer, Just received a credit alert? Hold on! Do not rely solely on SMS or email alerts. Always confirm payments into your account through secure channels like Access More, Internet Banking or *901#.

Be cautious of fake alerts- stay one step ahead and verify before completing any transaction. Stay vigilant!”

There have been a shocking escalation in fraudulent activities lately especially in the nine months of 2024, leaving banks and customers vulnerable.

According to the FITC fraud and forgery report for Q3 2024, fraud cases reported by banks jumped by an alarming 65% from 11,532 in Q2 2024 to 19,007 in Q3 2024. The monetary figures are equally disturbing as in Q3 2024, fraudster attempted to steal an eye-watering N115.9 billion-more than double the N56.6 billion recorded in the previous quarter.

This caused the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to raise an alarm, warning Nigerians to beware of falsified SWIFT documents being used to back such allegations.

The apex bank disclosed that it has received a wave of complaints from private entities, individuals, law firms, and government agencies, claiming that foreign funds transferred to their accounts remain uncredited.

Many of these complaints, the bank noted, come with fake SWIFT MT103 forms and acknowledgment copies that cannot be verified on the SWIFT network, indicating that the alleged transfers never took place.

Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, announced the arrest of 37 suspected internet fraudsters in Awka, Anambra State.

The anti-graft agency disclosed on its X (formerly Twitter) handle that the arrest followed credible intelligence linking the suspects to fraudulent internet activities.

It stated that the all-male suspects were arrested in a sting operation at Commissioners’ Quarters, Dr. J. O. Ukwutinife Close, Ifite, Awka, Anambra State capital, and that items recovered from them included six exotic cars, laptops and mobile phones.

“They will be charged in court as soon as investigations are concluded,” the statement added

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has approved the recruitment of 500 teachers by the State Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to boost learning.

Naija News reports that Commissioner for Education, Emmanuel Iyamu, made this known upon assumption of office in Benin on Wednesday.

Iyamu, who was sworn in on Monday by Okpebholo following his confirmation as Commissioner by the state’s House of Assembly, urged all qualified Nigerians to apply for the teaching job.

While reiterating the importance placed on the education sector by the Okpebholo-led administration, the new Commissioner stated that the recruitment would be done in tranches, stressing that “it is meant to fill the numerous vacancies in public schools.”

Iyamu also stated that the recruitment is strictly merit-based

He added, “Government is committed to ensuring that all public schools in Edo are adequately staffed by qualified teachers.

“The era of having two or three teachers in a school is gone and I am calling on qualified Nigerians
to apply.”

Meanwhile, Okpebholo has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his love for the Edo people, assuring him of continued support ahead of the 2027 Presidential polls.

Governor Okpebholo stated this in his goodwill message during a food outreach by the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), through its Social Investment Programme.

At the event, which was held at the New Festival Hall of Government House, Benin City, Edo State, Okpebholo said the electorate in Edo State will give the President 100 percent of their votes in the 2027 presidential election for remembering the vulnerable in the State.

The RHI food outreach began on the 8th of March, 2024, and about seven States, including Edo, have benefited from the initiative so far. The other States include Kano, Benue, Nasarawa, Ekiti, Cross River, and Gombe, while States like Kwara, Kogi, and Abia are next in line.

Governor Okpebholo commended the First Lady of Nigeria and Chairperson of RHI, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her love and motherly role in ensuring that the people of Nigeria enjoy the dividends of democracy.

He noted that the initiative of the First Lady would not have been successful without the support of President Tinubu, assuring him that the people of Edo State will support him for a second term if and when he decides to run.

Dora Chichah, wife of a suspended Catholic priest from the Diocese of Warri, Delta State, Rev Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe, has recounted how she met her husband.

Recall that the Catholic Diocese of Warri suspended Oghenerukevwe for allegedly contracting a secret marriage in the United States without completing the formal process of being released from his priestly vows.

The Diocese clarified that Oghenerukevwe had requested on November 30, 2024, to be released from all canonical obligations associated with Holy Orders.

However, the Diocese said it reached out to him, “asking for the required documents to begin the process, but the priest went on to marry without completing the procedure.”

Photos of the wedding, which took place in Dallas, Texas, have since gone viral.

Speaking during a live testimony session at Pastor Jerry Eze’s Streams of Joy International Church in Dallas, Dora shared her journey.

In a video reposted on Monday by a Catholic missionary priest, Fr. Kelvin Ugwu, Dora introduced herself as a single mother of three who had prayed for a husband for over nine years

“What God cannot do does not exist. We dey pray, e dey show. My name is Dora, and I’m giving my testimony from Streams of Joy, Dallas.

“Indeed, the lord has shown me mercy. Since 2020, I have been on this altar, believing God for a life partner. I’m a single mother of three and I have been believing God for over nine years for a divine settlement. I kept on praying. I said, God settle me,” she stated.

Dora added, “In July 2021, Pastor Jerry said the Lord has heard you; he said the Lord allowed all that has happened happen to take you to your wealthy place. He is your salvation. In your waiting time, He will build your character.

“I kept praying. Anytime Pastor Jerry says women in their 30s, women in their 40s, receive your husband. I would dance and I would pray and I was believing God.”

“In 2024, I heard God clearly to relocate from where I was to Dallas, Texas.”

Dora said she reconnected with Daniel, someone she knew growing up in the same area, and they quickly exchanged contact details.

“He told me stories about how he has been praying for four years for discernment in his vocation. And in my own case, I had been praying too. He said he had been fasting for three months, asking God to give him the woman for him,” Dora revealed.

The relationship progressed swiftly, culminating in their wedding.

“In three months, we had gone through the marriage class. Within three months, we did the traditional wedding; we did the court. And the white wedding in Streams of Joy, Dallas,” she said.

While Dora did not address Daniel’s status as a Catholic priest during her testimony, the video package featured pictures of her and Daniel during their wedding.

PUNCH Online reports that a woman claiming to be Daniel’s biological sister, Mary Okanatotor, defended the marriage, stating it was the best decision for her brother.

“He did not do a secret marriage as he wrote to the Diocese to inform them of his decision,” she said in a social media post.

The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has announced a reward of ₦5 million and a bungalow for an award-winning Math teacher, Kayode Adewale, who was recently shortlisted for the prestigious $1 million Global Teacher Prize.

Adewale, known for integrating technology with local language instruction at Imagbon/Imaka Comprehensive High School in Ogun State, secured a spot among the top 50 finalists for the global award. 

In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, Abiodun lauded Adewale’s contributions to education and named him Ogun State Education Ambassador. The governor promised to honor Adewale with a bungalow in any location of his choice within the state, alongside a ₦5 million cash reward.

The statement said, “As a state that prides itself on being the education capital of Nigeria, we are immensely proud to celebrate one of our own, Kayode Adewale, a visionary educator who has earned a place among the Top 50 teachers globally in the prestigious Global Teacher Prize.

“This US $1 million initiative by the Varkey Foundation, supported by UNESCO, recognizes educators who have made extraordinary contributions to transforming lives and communities through education.

“Kayode Adewale, a mathematics teacher at Imagbon/Imaka Comprehensive High School, Ogun State, has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to educational excellence.”

Adewale, an alumnus of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, has previously won the Ogun State Best Teacher Award in 2020.

Abiodun emphasised that Adewale’s international acclaim in 2025 exemplifies the values of selflessness, innovation, and dedication in education.

The statement added, “A proud alumnus of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun — Nigeria’s premier institution for teacher training and one of the top 10 globally — Kayode’s innovative teaching methods and dedication to transforming education have earned him local and international acclaim.

“Today, as a government committed to fostering excellence, we are proud to honor Kayode Adewale as the Ogun State Education Ambassador. To commemorate this achievement, we will provide him with a bungalow in any part of Ogun State of his choice. Additionally, we will support him with a cash prize of ₦5,000,000 to further inspire his outstanding work in education.

“His humility and unwavering dedication to uplifting his community through education are truly commendable.”

See Photos below:

The Jigawa State Government has revealed that properties worth a staggering N5 billion were destroyed during the nationwide protests in August 2024.

Chairman of the fact-finding committee on the protest, Barrister Bello Fanini, disclosed this while presenting the committee’s report to Governor Umar Namadi at the Council Chambers of the Government House in Dutse on Tuesday night.

Fanini, who also serves as the state Commissioner for Justice, stated that the destroyed properties belonged to the federal, state, and local governments, as well as private individuals.

He further explained that the committee had outlined recommendations aimed at preventing such incidents in the future.

In response to the report, the governor expressed appreciation to the committee for their dedication and assured that the government would carefully review and implement the recommendations.

He stressed the need to protect lives and property across the state.

In a related development, Governor Namadi called on public and political officeholders to uphold their oath of office and allegiance while performing their duties. This charge came during the swearing-in ceremony of five newly appointed special advisers at the Government House in Dutse.

The new advisers are Sai’du Umar (Food and Nutrition), Bala Abdulkadir (Special Duties), Musa Sha’aibu (Revenue), Ado Mai Unguwa (Trade and Investment), and Uzairu Nadabo (Export Processing Zone II).

Speaking on behalf of the appointees, Bala Abdulkadir expressed gratitude to the state government for the opportunity to serve. He pledged that the advisers would carry out their responsibilities with dedication and integrity.

Meanwhile, the governor has inaugurated the Livestock Reform Implementation Committee, which he chairs. The committee aims to advance one of the administration’s 12-point agendas focused on improving livestock farming in the state.

The committee’s secretary, Auwalu Shehu, alongside other members drawn from the agricultural sector and key stakeholders, has been tasked with implementing reforms to boost the livestock sector.