The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has launched a search following the theft of a black Toyota Hilux vehicle belonging to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Nuhu Ribadu.

Naija News reports that the Hilux was stolen during Friday’s Juma’at prayers in Abuja.

The vehicle was reportedly parked at around 1:05 p.m. opposite the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) complex in Area 10, while the ONSA official attended prayers at a nearby mosque. Upon returning, the official discovered that the vehicle was missing.

Security expert Zagazola Makama disclosed this in a post on ? (formerly Twitter), revealing that the theft was promptly reported to the Garki Police Division at approximately 2:00 p.m. Following the report, law enforcement responded swiftly.

In response to the theft, the FCT Police Command immediately initiated a stop-and-search operation across various checkpoints and at all entry and exit points in the city.

Police authorities have confirmed that investigations are underway, and efforts are being made to locate the suspects and recover the stolen vehicle. The Command assured the public that it had intensified its efforts to track down the culprits.

Former Super Eagles coach, Christian Chukwu, has died at the age of 74.
According to Vanguard, the prominent figure in Nigerian football died on Saturday, April 11, 2025, but details surrounding his death remain unclear.

Recalls that false reports of Chukwu’s death had circulated in 2021, and the legendary coach refuted the rumours during his 70th birthday celebration on January 4, 2021.

He said, “I am terribly embarrassed with this news that I am dead. Several people have been calling me from across the world since the news broke. I am still investigating the source of the story.”

Christian Chukwu, affectionately known as “Chairman,” was a prominent player and a coach.

More details to come…

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has said that God blessed Nigeria with everything it needed to be a prosperous nation.

Naija News reports that Obasanjo said Nigerians would not be poor if leaders could use the resources in the country to improve the lives of the citizens.

Obasanjo stated this at a dinner organized in his honour by the Abia State Government on Friday at the Government House, Umuahia.

“Nigerians have no business with poverty because God has given us all that we need.

“If we are mismanaging what God has given us, we do not have God to blame, we have ourselves to blame,” he said.

The first President of the 4th Republic lauded Governor Alex Otti for transforming the lives of Ndi Abia through his leadership.

He reiterated his commitment to good governance for the benefit of Nigerian citizens.

“For me, whether you don’t greet me or I greet you and you don’t answer, what is important to me is that the people of this country are getting what they deserve and what they deserve is good governance,” he stated.

Speaking, Governor Otti, who recalled his political journey from 2015, emphasized the importance of vision and hope in one’s life journey.

“Once you have vision, you have to keep to it. It took us ten years to get here, the two elections we contested from 2015 to 2019, we won clearly but they were all stolen.

“A lot of people had given up hope and said it wasn’t going to work, but I was sure that I heard clearly from God,” he said.

The former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who was at the dinner, urged Ndi Abia to start working for Otti’s victory in 2027.

“APC and other parties are already mobilizing, if we don’t prepare now, we may lose out completely.

“We must not only protect what we have but also ensure that we come back in 2028 to celebrate true democratic success,” he stated.

Political activist Najatu Muhammad has sounded an alarm over alleged threats to her life, which she attributes to the “attack dogs” of those in power, following her persistent criticism of the government and its officials.

In a statement titled “Communities in Abyss, Country on the Brink,” Muhammad also condemned the administration of President Bola Tinubu for what she described as incompetence and the worsening security situation across the country.

She expressed concern over the federal government’s failure to address the deepening crisis, describing the current state of affairs as a nightmare.

“The failure of the APC-led federal government under Mr. Tinubu is nothing short of horror and terror,” she said.

She specifically addressed the continuous threats she has received from individuals aligned with those in power.

“I am deeply worried about my life and my well-being. However, I refuse to be intimidated or compromised by these agents of evil. My life is in the hands of Allah the almighty and not the Nigerian government and its dark agents of evil,” she asserted.

Muhammad also criticized the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for claiming that insecurity in Nigeria had been reduced by 90%. She pointed to the recent brutal killings in Plateau and Edo states, including the massacre of over 60 people in Plateau’s Bokkos communities. The incident, which occurred between April 2 and April 3, 2025, saw Bokkos communities, including Mangar Tamiso, Daffo, and others, besieged for hours without intervention from the security agencies.

“The sheer failure of President Tinubu’s APC-led government is nothing short of horror and terror,” she said, adding that the recurring violence raised alarming questions about the government’s ability to maintain order and whether the insecurity was a deliberate attempt to destabilize the country ahead of the 2027 elections.

“The Bokkos massacre… families were wiped out, livelihoods destroyed, hopes shattered, and worst of all, over 60 lives lost,” she lamented. “This is the price Nigeria is paying for bad leadership. This price is too costly, and we will certainly not continue to take it lightly.”

Muhammad accused government officials and security agencies of widespread ineptitude and negligence, asserting that corruption within the security forces had become the norm.

She also criticized the government’s approach to security, lamenting that officials were more focused on protecting the interests of corrupt politicians and their families rather than the safety of ordinary citizens.

“The president is away in France mortgaging our future to a declining globalist French elite. Our lives are being taken by marauders at a time when our future is being stolen by corrupt globalist elites and their local stooges,” she said.

“What is worse is a complete power grab by corrupt political elites that have successfully steered Nigeria’s security outfits away from protecting the lives and properties of citizens towards the protection of corrupt politicians, their families, and their stolen wealth.”

“Northern Nigeria has become a guillotine for the slaughter of Northern citizens, Muslims and Christians alike. We are witnessing sustained carnage on a scale that is not just alarming but unsurprising,” she said.

The Nigerian government has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding freedoms of religion, expression, and association, assuring the United States that any reports of threats or intimidation against religious leaders will be thoroughly investigated and addressed appropriately.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed by acting spokesman Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the government expressed concern over a recent social media post by the U.S. Embassy in Abuja.

The post referenced the security situation in Nigeria, particularly the testimonies of Bishop Wilfred Anagbe and Rev. Fr. Remigius Ihyula at a U.S. Congressional Hearing on Religious Persecution in Nigeria.

While acknowledging that the religious leaders were entitled to their opinions and freedom of expression, the statement emphasized that their testimonies had misrepresented facts and oversimplified a complex national issue.

The government assured that it would investigate any threats against religious leaders, but stressed that the issue of religious persecution in Nigeria had been inaccurately portrayed.

“The assertion that the Nigerian government has ‘allowed the violence to escalate unchecked’ is both inaccurate and unfair,” the statement read.

It highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to combat insecurity, pointing to actions such as deploying security forces to conflict zones, engaging in peace-building between farmers and herders, strengthening intelligence operations, and implementing policies aimed at addressing the root causes of violence, including land use reforms and economic development.

The statement concluded by clarifying that Nigeria is facing multiple security threats, including banditry, terrorism, and organized crime, which affect various communities regardless of religion.

The government reiterated that, while challenges remain, it has been actively working to address these issues and would not tolerate misinformation regarding its efforts.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, has said any merger for ousting President Bola Tinubu in 2027 will not work.

Ganduje stated this on Friday after he visited former President Muhammadu Buhari with members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), at his residence, in Kaduna State.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar along with former governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Jibrilla Bindow (Adamawa), and Achike Udenwa (Imo), also on Friday paid Sallah greeting to Buhari, in his Kaduna home.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, Ganduje said APC is not worried about coalition moves by opposition politicians.

“We are not worried at all. This is just history trying to repeat itself. They went on a joint venture which will not work because from what we have seen, there are just some particles that cannot come together. It is a game, and we will not reveal our technicalities on how to handle it, but we assure you, we are equal to the task,” he said.

The former Governor of Kano State stressed that APC already had 21 states and would be welcoming some governors who would decamp to the party soon.

He added that APC remains “the strongest party in West Africa” and would expand its hold on power beyond 2027.

“We are eyeing other states that will come into our fold. Either the governors themselves will come, or we go for election and defeat them to increase our tally. We are comfortable, but we are not resting. We shall continue,” he added.

The controversial pro-Wike Mega Rally scheduled to take place in Yenogoa, Bayelsa State’s capital city has been postponed.

The rally which was slated to hold on Saturday, April 12 has now been moved to Saturday, April 26.

George Turnah, the convener of the New Associates Group – the group organising the rally – said the event was moved due to some scheduling conflict at the proposed venue.

Speaking to journalists on Friday, Turnah said the rally will still take place at the same venue on April 26.

According to him, the previous date clashed with an event already booked by some supporters of the Bayelsa State governor and the former governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal.

He urged all prominent Ijaw leaders and lovers of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to ensure they mark their calendars and attend the rally on the new date.

His words, “In light of recent developments, you may recall that several Pro-Diri and Pro-Tambuwal supporters have issued public notices expressing their intentions to hold solidarity rallies in support of their respective leaders, opting to do so on the same date and at the same venue we have chosen for our programme.

“We are inclined to allow them the right and space to hold their events as scheduled, creating an atmosphere that will enable the entire country to witness their capacities and acceptance among the Ijaw people in Bayelsa State.

“As such, we will now hold our inauguration and mega rally on Saturday, April 26, 2025, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State,” Turnah said

The federal government has introduced a new policy to crack down on visa overstayers, with penalties including daily fines and potential bans from re-entering Nigeria.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, announced the new measures during a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos on Friday.

The event, held at NECA House, focused on ongoing immigration reforms, including updates on the expatriate quota system and the Nigeria visa policy (NVP) 2025.

The minister announced that from August, the government will impose a daily fine of $15 on foreign nationals who overstay their visas.

He added that foreigners who overstay for three months will receive a five-year re-entry ban, while those who overstay for a year or more will be banned from returning to Nigeria.

Tunji-Ojo said although the penalties are set to take effect in May 2025, the government will allow a three-month grace period until August before enforcement begins.

This window, according to him, is intended to give visa holders time to regularise their status or make necessary travel arrangements without penalty.

“From first of August, anybody that does not take advantage of the amnesty period of three months, penalty will come,” the minister said.

“But if you take advantage of that window to regularise, we will not charge you. Because the whole idea is not to punish you, the whole idea is for us to regularise. Let’s know the people that are actually in Nigeria.

“From first of August, if you (-) it’s $15 dollars per day and if you have stayed more than three months, five years, abeg we don’t need violators in Nigeria.

“And if you have stayed more than one year without coming forward during the amnesty period, abeg don’t come to Nigeria again for life.”

The minister also announced plans to fully digitalize the process of obtaining the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC).

The move, according to him, aims to simplify the application process for foreign nationals residing and working in Nigeria.

Tunji-Ojo added that the digitalised process will allow foreign nationals to fill and submit CERPAC applications online, eliminating the need for manual forms.

He said payments for CERPAC can also be made online, streamlining the process.

The minister added that the digitalised CERPAC process is set to go live on May 1, with a link available on the NIS website.

“On issue of the CERPAC. Do not be scared. We are not increasing your CERPAC fee. To me, let us sanitise the system. That’s the first thing,” he said.

“We are automating it end to end. Because as it is today, the procedure is that you have to go to buy a form. When you buy a form, you pay at the bank, and take the form to CERPAC centre. There’s no country in the world that does that.

“Your CERPAC will be filled online. Payments will be done online. Immigration will review at the bank end.

“And if you know you have criminal issues, do not apply for CERPAC. Because we are integrating the CERPAC solution with Interpol 24/7 and all other criminal systems. So that Nigeria will not be a safe haven for somebody that they are looking for all over the world. This place is not safe for you. Go back.

“So, everything, you can do it with the comfort of your office. And by our laws, we are going to be holding employers responsible from the foundations. It’s the way it’s done all over the world. It is the employers that will hold employees. My business is with you, business owners.

“We’ve been working on this for months, if not over a year, looking at the way it’s done all over the world, best practices, and everything.”

The newly appointed 23 Local Government administrators for Rivers State have been cautioned against reckless actions and misuse of public funds.

The caution was handed to the LG administrators by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired) in Friday, April 11.

Speaking at a high-level meeting at the Rivers State Government House, Ibas said he will not tolerate any form of recklessness, abuse of office or funds misuse by the appointees.

“I will not tolerate any form of recklessness, abuse of office, or misuse of public funds,.

“You are here to serve the people, not yourselves. Every kobo spent must be accounted for, and the people must see value for their money,” Ibas warned.

He further urged the LG leaders to ensure total committment to the state’s sanitation, welfare and discipline of local government civil servants, environmental management, primary education, youth engagement and healthcare service delivery.

According to him, these are the key areas for which their performance will be assessed.

“This is not the time for excuses. It is the time for results.”

“The people deserve to know how their money is being used. You owe them not only accountability but also dedication to their well-being,” Ibas added.

Abdullahi Ganduje, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the party’s national working committee (NWC) members have visited former President Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in Kaduna state.

The visit took place on Friday hours after opposition leaders met with the former president.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar had earlier on Friday led a delegation, including Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna; Aminu Tambuwal, former governor of Sokoto; and Isa Pantami, former minister of communications, to Buhari’s residence.

Speaking with the press afterwards, el-Rufai had asked “adversaries” not to lose sleep, saying the visit was not political.

While the outcome of the APC NWC’s visit remains undisclosed, it is coming days after Buhari welcomed a delegation of APC governors led by Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo state.

Uzodimma, who is the chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, said their visit was to deliver Sallah greetings and congratulate Buhari on the successful conclusion of the Ramadan fast.

Lately, there have been growing concerns about the possible departure of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) faction from the APC.

The CPC was one of the four political parties that merged in 2013 to create the APC, with Buhari being a member of the CPC faction.

Despite the speculations, Buhari has affirmed that he would never abandon the APC.

Late on Friday, Ali Ndume, an APC senator, asked President Bola Tinubu to be worried if Buhari aligns with the proposed coalition of opposition leaders.

Here are photos from the APC NWC’s visit to Buhari.