FocalPoint Reports

Nineteen people have died, and several others were injured in separate road accidents in Edo and Taraba states. In Edo State, 12 persons died, and 14 others were injured in a separate crash over the weekend at Egono community along the Auchi–Ewu–Benin road. The accident occurred when a speeding truck conveying passengers and goods attempted a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre, lost control, and overturned. The Edo FRSC spokesperson, Patricia Onwochei, confirmed the incident to Newsmen. She attributed the incident to wrongful overtaking and said one victim had been buried, while 11 others were deposited at St. Lazarus Hospital mortuary. In Taraba, seven persons, including two minors and two women, lost their lives in a crash that occurred at about 4:40 pm on Tuesday in the Garbabi area of Gashaka Local Government Area. The accident involved a commercial vehicle carrying 11 passengers from Bali to Serti, the headquarters of Gashaka LGA. An official of the Nigeria Association o...

Traditional rulers from across Anioma nation in Delta North have called for observance of customs, stronger legal protections and removal of partisan politics from traditional institutions, as key steps to end recurring kingship disputes and succession conflicts in their communities. The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the inaugural Delta North Traditional Rulers Peace Symposium, organised by Anioma Peace Advocacy and Development Initiative. The gathering brought together monarchs, community leaders and other stakeholders to examine practical solutions for preventing and resolving succession-related disputes. Speaking at the opening session, President and Convener of the initiative, Prince Nath Obiokolie, said several communities in Anioma land had continued to witness avoidable conflicts over traditional stools, citing Egbudu-Akah and others as examples. He said the symposium was designed to generate ideas that would improve dispute manageme...

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday commenced a verification exercise at the National Secretariat of the Labour Party in Abuja. The delegation, led by Mallam Mansur Hassan, is tasked with verifying the party’s claims regarding its physical and leadership structures, membership records, as well as the status of its secretariat building. Speaking before the exercise began, Hassan said the team’s role goes beyond observation. “We are monitors, not observers. We are here to monitor and correct things, not observe,” he stated. He explained that the exercise would include verification of the party’s executive membership, particularly the National Working Committee, in line with provisions of the party’s constitution. The team is also expected to review documents relating to the party’s occupancy of its secretariat, including tenancy agreements and payment receipts, in addition to obtaining a soft copy of its membership register. Meanwhile, the develop...

The lawmaker representing Borno South senatorial district, Ali Ndume, has vowed that no ransom will be paid to insurgents who abducted residents from the village of Muoshi, Borno State, in early March. It was reported that the lawmaker’s declaration comes as Boko Haram‘s 72-hour ultimatum on the 416 nears its expiration In a recent video, Boko Haram insurgents issued a chilling 72-hour ultimatum, warning that the abducted victims could be moved to unknown locations if their demands were not met. The militants threatened, “ If our demands are not met, we will move these victims, including women and children, to different locations… You may never see them again.” Speaking during an appearance on Arise Television, Ndume expressed concern over the statement, particularly in regard to the innocence of the captives. The lawmaker confirmed the harrowing reality of the incident, which initially involved more than 500 people but was later clarified to be 416 individuals. “ It was unbel...

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has commenced disciplinary proceedings against 167 senior officers over alleged misconduct and breaches of professional standards. The exercise, being conducted by the Force Disciplinary Committee at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, is aimed at reviewing pending cases involving officers from the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police and above. According to the Force spokesman,  Anthony Placid , the committee is mandated to examine each case thoroughly in line with established laws and regulations. He said, “ The Nigeria Police Force has commenced the sitting of the FDC to review pending disciplinary matters involving 167 senior police officers over alleged breaches of professional conduct and other related offences.” Placid noted that the committee serves as a key internal mechanism for handling disciplinary issues involving senior officers. He said,  “The Force Disciplinary Committee… is responsible for the review and determination of cases...

The Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) has commiserated with renowned Niger Delta broadcaster, Chief Victor Ayabotu, following the death of his daughter. In a condolence message issued on Monday and signed by its national Spokesman Comrade Ezekiel Kagbala, the forum described the loss as painful and unfortunate, noting that no parent should have to bury a child. The IPF, a body of media professionals of Ijaw extraction, expressed shock over the sad news and extended its heartfelt sympathies to Ayabotu, his family, and loved ones. “On behalf of the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum, we sympathize with our brother, colleague, and veteran broadcaster, Chief Victor Ayabotu, over the untimely demise of his beloved daughter,” the statement read. “The death of a child is a wound that never truly heals. Imagine the depth of grief this has brought to the Ayabotu's family. We pray the Almighty God grants him, his wife, and the entire family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.” The forum ...

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has arrested 14 suspected vandals at the Terminal One construction site of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. Mr Henry Agbebire, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at FAAN, disclosed the arrest in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos. According to Agbebire, the suspects were apprehended at about 6.00 p.m. on Monday. He said the arrest followed a swift and intelligence-driven response by FAAN’s security architecture, working in close coordination with the Joint Military Task Force (JMTF) and other security agencies deployed at the airport. Agbebire said that preliminary findings indicated that the suspects had unlawfully gained access to the Terminal One construction site by impersonating authorised construction personnel. He said the attempt was effectively foiled through the vigilance, surveillance, and rapid intervention of FAAN security operatives and their partners. The individuals were intercepted...

THE Itsekiri Grassroot Coalition (IGC), a socio-political group, has endorsed President Ahmed Tinubu and Gov Sheriff Oborevwori for second tenure. This endorsement was done during the IGC 2026 5th Congress at the GT Event Center, Ugbu­wangue, Warri, Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State. They were both adopted by the members of IGC before a vote of confidence was passed on President Bola Tinubu and the Delta State Governor, Rt .Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for second tenure. Earlier, one of the Coordinators, Mr Bobby Omad­eli, a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor (SSA), in his opening remarks, appealed to Itsekiri at all levels and from the grassroots to endeavor to come out and vote in the forthcoming 2027 elections. He applauded them for turning out in large num­bers to attend the event and encouraged all to do same by participating actively as well as coming out to vote en masse saying , the election is vital to the Itsekiri nation and Warri Kingdom rather than the non-cha...

The Nigeria Police Force has rescued the remaining 13 people abducted in the Benue Links bus in Otukpo, Benue State. The police had earlier rescued five of the victims, while the remaining 13 were rescued following an intelligence-driven operation carried out across the Amla Forest corridor and surrounding locations. Recall, the 18 passengers were kidnapped on April 15, 2026. According to a statement on Monday, April 20, by the Force Spokesman, DCP Anthony Placid, the eight students rescued were travelling to Otukpo to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. He confirmed that all 18 passengers involved in the incident have now been rescued and accounted for. The statement reads; “The Nigeria Police Force has achieved a major operational breakthrough with the rescue of all victims abducted in the Otukpo kidnapping incident involving passengers of a Benue Links bus on 15 April 2026. “Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Benue State Police Comma...

The Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against individuals accused of plotting to overthrow President  Bola Ahmed Tinubu . It was reported that among those charged are a retired major general, a retired naval captain, a serving police inspector, and three others. The defendants are alleged to have engaged in acts aimed at destabilising the country, including waging war against Nigeria. According to the charge, the accused persons are facing offences bordering on treason and terrorism. The President Tinubu-led government in October 2025 announced the cancellation of a parade earlier scheduled to celebrate the country’s 65th independence anniversary on October 1. Following the announcement, reports linked the cancellation of the independence anniversary event to an alleged coup attempt. The DHQ, however, dismissed the reports, insisting that the cancellation was unrelated to the alleged coup attempt. However, on the 31st of Octo...

‎The Kwara State command of the Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the arrest of 42 suspected illegal miners following the abduction of a traditional ruler Oba Salman Aweda, in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state. ‎The Commissioner of Police in the state,  Adekimi Ojo,  disclosed this while speaking with journalists on Monday in Ilorin. ‎Ojo said the monarch of Olayinka community was kidnapped on Saturday evening by about 10 armed men who stormed his palace shortly after miners had earlier paid him homage. ‎According to him, the attackers forcefully gained entry into the palace, broke down doors and dragged the monarch out of his room. ‎He said the gunmen demanded the money earlier given to the monarch by the miners. ‎“ They broke into the palace, fetched him from one of the rooms and demanded the money the miners gave him earlier in the day ,” Ojo said. ‎The police boss added that the monarch immediately handed over the money but was still taken away alongside h...

Tension erupted in Edjeba community, Warri, Delta State, on Sunday after masqueraders and a group of youths allegedly attacked a branch of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), leaving at least six worshippers injured. The incident reportedly occurred around 10 a.m. on April 19, 2026, shortly after Sunday service ended at the church’s Edjeba Shell Gate location. The presiding pastor, identified as Barrister Albert, was said to be leaving the premises with his family when the confrontation began. According to witnesses, the violence started when a masquerader in a procession allegedly attempted to assault female church members, prompting the pastor to intervene. The situation quickly escalated into a physical clash involving the masqueraders, youths, and members of the congregation. During the attack, six worshippers sustained injuries, with three reportedly in critical condition and receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital. The attackers were also said to have vandalised p...

Retired police personnel and their families, under the aegis of the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria, on Monday staged a protest at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, blocking one of its gates. The retirees said the demonstration was against the continued inclusion of the Nigeria Police Force in the Contributory Pension Scheme. They described the scheme as “fraudulent, illegal, inhumane, and obnoxious.” The protesters urged President  Bola Tinubu  to assent to the Police Exit Bill passed by the National Assembly on December 4, 2025. According to them, the bill was transmitted to the Presidency on March 16, 2026. They argued that when signed into law, the legislation would exempt police personnel from what they termed a “slavery and untimely death-inducing pension scheme.” The protest was led by the National Coordinator of the forum, Raphael Irowainu. Speaking to journalists, Irowainu said the core objective was to press for immediate presidential assent. “Our major aim h...

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to hold its first National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at its national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, following the reopening of the secretariat by the police last week. The party’s secretariat had been sealed in November last year after a violent confrontation between factions loyal to Tanimu Turaki and those aligned with Abdulrahman Mohammed, both laying claim to the party’s leadership. The crisis took a new turn in March when the Court of Appeal invalidated the Ibadan convention that produced the Turaki-led leadership. The Mohammed-led faction, which is reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,  Nyesom Wike , relied on the ruling to organise a separate convention in Abuja. The NEC meeting is expected to be attended by members aligned with the Mohammed-led faction. Top figures billed for the meeting include Wike, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, among others...

The Police Command in Benue has arrested seven suspects over alleged connection with the April 15 abduction of some passengers in Otukpo. The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Edet Udeme, confirmed the development in a statement made available to journalists in Makurdi on Saturday. Udeme said that the arrests were made during a coordinated joint security operation involving the police and other security agencies and a targeted search-and-rescue mission in Amla Forest and adjoining areas. She said that the operation also led to the rescue of some of the victims, who are currently receiving medical attention, but did not disclose the number of those rescued. “Further intelligence gathered in the course of the operation led to the arrest of seven suspects, who are currently in police custody while the investigation is ongoing. “The Command also wishes to clarify misinformation circulating in some news media suggesting that the victims were part of a convoy conveying students to write the Unifie...

The Presidency has  said that Nigeria is not a poor country, urging a shift in national discourse from poverty narratives to addressing inequality and structural economic challenges. The Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs, Dr. Tope Fasua, who spoke on Channels Television on Friday, said: “Nigeria is not a poor country, but we have inequality challenges. We must focus on bridging that gap.” Fasua stressed that while poverty exists, the focus should be on solutions, saying: “The real question is how to solve poverty,” adding that constant emphasis on poverty “will not allow us to focus on what matters.” He pointed to evidence of wealth within the system, noting that “about N4.6 trillion was raised by banks in this country recently for recapitalisation,” with “about 80 percent of it from this country.” He added: “MTN has consistently generated about 40 percent of its profits from Nigeria. This...

No fewer than two persons have been confirmed dead following an explosion at a filling station in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State on Friday, April 17, 2026. It was learnt that three other persons sustained varying degrees of injuries in the incident, which occurred in the Daffo community. Residents, including the Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in the area, Kefas Mallai, confirmed the incident in Jos Mallai said the explosion happened at a filling station identified as Natty Filling Station while maintenance was being carried out on an underground tank. According to him, the victims were working on a leaking section of the tank when the explosion occurred. Providing details, Mallai said the deceased were a welder and his apprentice who had been engaged to fix the faulty tank. He said, “ Today, Friday 17th April, 2026, two persons died, and three others were injured at Daffo Town of Bokkos LGA, Plateau State, as an underground tank of Natty Filling Station explod...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday signed the ₦68.32tn 2026 Appropriation Bill into law. This was disclosed in a statement on Friday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The 2026 Appropriation Bill provides for an aggregate expenditure of ₦68.32 trillion. He has also signed the bill extending the implementation period for the 2025 budget from March 31, 2026, to June 30, 2026. The N68.32 trillion budget for this year earmarks N4.799 trillion for statutory transfers and N15.8 trillion for debt service. It allocates N15.4 trillion to recurrent expenditure and N32.2 trillion to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure. With capital expenditure accounting for about 50 per cent, the 2026 budget underscores the administration’s continued commitment to economic stability, national security, infrastructure development, and inclusive growth. The allocations reflect a strategic balance between statutory obligations, debt servicing, recurrent expenditur...

Newly elected National Treasurer of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) worldwide, Double Chief (Comrade) Mulade Sheriff (PhD), the Ibe-Serimowei of ancient oil-rich Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State has expressed deep appreciation to key stakeholders for their overwhelming support in his emergence at the April 13, 2026 national elections. In a statement, Mulade thanked the outgoing INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, the National Executive Council (NEC), the 2026 National Electoral Commission, led by His Royal Majesty, Justice F.F.Tabai (Rtd), national delegates, as well as the entire Ijaw Nation for the confidence reposed in him. He described his victory as a collective mandate, noting that the trust placed in him serves as a call to greater responsibility and service. Mulade pledged to work collaboratively with other members of the executive council led by High Chief Macdonald Igbadiwei Esq and critical stakeholders to ensure transparency, accountability, and prudent financia...

Rivers State Government has ordered the suspension of all academic activities in a private school in the state. The government took this decision following the death of a two-year-old female pupil within the school premises last month. The pupil died under controversial circumstances during school hours at Wisdom Gate International School in the Eligbolo area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. Whereas the management of the school claims that a book fell off the shelf and killed the girl, the family of the victim insists that a shelf in the classroom fell on the girl, resulting in her death. Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, ordered the suspension of academic activities on the affected campus of the school. Nwagor, who disclosed this in a statement in Port Harcourt, said the ministry has interfaced with the management and family of the victim, ordering a closure of the facility until all issues around the death are resolved. He said: “The Rivers State Ministr...

A multi-billion-naira gas processing plant expected to provide 200 million standard cubic feet per day is being constructed by the Southfield Petroleum Limited (SPL) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) at Utorogu in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State. Meanwhile, in another related energy sector development, the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) has disbursed N250 million in grants to 51 entrepreneurs at the conclusion of its 2026 Vocational Innovation and Business Empowerment Scheme (VIBES). In a statement by the NLNG’s Manager, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs, Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku said the programme commenced with the induction of 103 participants from its host communities in Rivers State. In his reaction, the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo, commended Southfield Petroleum Limited and the NCDMB for advancing Nigeria’s gas development agenda through strategic infrastructure inv...

The Ijaw nation in Delta State, Wednesday formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for re-election in 2027, in what emerged as the highpoint of a grand reception organised in honour of the governor. The event, hosted by the Ijaw National Congress (worldwide) in Bomadi, drew prominent political leaders, traditional rulers, stakeholders and members of the Ijaw nation from across Delta State and beyond. The endorsement followed a motion moved by the member representing Burutu Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Julius Pondi, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori be endorsed and supported by the Ijaw people for a second term in office. The motion, which was seconded by a member of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Oboro Preyor, was thereafter subjected to a voice vote by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor, and was unanimously adopted by the ...

The Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, has ordered the management of the University of Ibadan (UI) to immediately reinstate three students suspended for protesting a hike in tuition fees. Justice Nkeonye Maha, who delivered the judgment on Wednesday, set aside the decision of the institution’s Central Student Disciplinary Committee, describing the process that led to the punishment as a violation of the students’ right to a fair hearing. “I hereby set aside the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and order the reinstatement of the suspended students,”  the judge ruled. The affected students are Aduwo Ayodele, Mide Gbadegesin, and Nice Linus. The students were suspended on July 14, 2025, after participating in a protest against increased tuition fees approved by the university’s governing council. The protest reportedly began at midnight and was triggered by a circular issued by the council’s secretary, G.O. Saliu. The circular stated that the council, after deliber...

A wave of political momentum is building in Delta State as communities across Isoko North Local Government Area have thrown their weight behind prominent real estate developer and All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant, Sir Blessing Oghale Obomovo, endorsing him as their sole candidate for the Isoko Federal Constituency seat ahead of the 2027 general elections. The endorsement, described by stakeholders as historic and unanimous, came during a well-attended gathering held on Tuesday at Opute Hall in Ozoro. The event drew political leaders, traditional authorities, women groups, and youth representatives from Ozoro and Otor-Owhe Kingdoms, all united in support of Obomovo’s candidacy. Obomovo, the Chief Executive Officer of Standout Properties Limited, hails paternally from Otor-Owhe Kingdom and maternally from Ozoro Kingdom. In a show of strong regional solidarity, the five blocs of Ozoro—Uroto, Erovie, Etevie, Urude, and Orumudhe—jointly adopted him as their preferred candidate. The ...

As the rain begins, the Federal Government, on Wednesday, released the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), predicting floods to hit Bayelsa, Delta, Adamawa, Kebbi and 29 other states. This was disclosed in a keynote address by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Joseph Utsev, at the AFO public presentation at the Presidential Banquet Hall, Abuja, organised by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, NiHSA, with the theme ‘Smart Water Resources Management: Moving from Oil to Water-Based Economy’. Utsev acknowledged that early information saves lives, livelihoods, protects infrastructure, and reduces economic losses, saying that, as part of the Federal Government’s commitment to improving flood forecasts and preparedness, is the modernisation of the national hydrological monitoring networks. The minister also said his ministry is strengthening collaboration with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, to ensure better integration of weather and water informa...

The Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna on Tuesday granted bail to former Kaduna State Governor,  Nasir El-Rufai , in a corruption case filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The court, however, ordered that the former governor remain in the custody of the anti-graft agency pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions. Delivering the ruling, Justice Rilwanu Aikawa admitted El-Rufai to bail in the sum of N200m with two sureties in like sum. The judge described the conditions attached to the bail as “strict and extensive.” According to the court, El-Rufai must remain in ICPC custody until the bail requirements are fully met. As part of the conditions, the sureties are required to deposit their international passports with the court. The judge also ruled that one of the sureties must be a civil servant not below Grade Level 15, while the second must be a recognised traditional ruler. Justice Aikawa further directed that t...

The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, ordered an accelerated hearing of an appeal challenging the nullification of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025. A five-member panel of the apex court, headed by Justice Mohammed Lawal, approved an expedited hearing of the appeal marked SC/CV/166/2026. The appeal was filed by the Taminu Turaki, SAN-led factional national executives of the party that emerged from the convention. The appellants—PDP, its National Working Committee (NWC), and National Executive Committee (NEC)—had, in a motion filed on April 8 through their team of lawyers led by Chief Chris Uche, SAN, prayed for a departure from the Supreme Court Rules and the abridgement of time for all respondents to file their briefs of argument. While moving the application on Tuesday, Uche, SAN, insisted that the circumstances warranted expeditious determination “in the interest of justice.” He stressed that the Independent Natio...