FocalPoint Reports

By David Zipamone  The Ijaw Publishers' Forum (IPF) has called on the governors of the six South-South states to urgently reactivate and adequately fund the BRACED Commission as part of efforts to address the growing security threats confronting the region and the country. In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its Secretary, Tare Magbei, the Forum urged the governors of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta states to treat the worsening security situation across Nigeria as a warning signal and move swiftly to strengthen regional cooperation on security matters. The group expressed concern over the increasing spread of kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes beyond their traditional hotspots, noting that criminal activities are gradually extending into new parts of the country. According to IPF, recent reports indicate that kidnapping-for-ransom and related criminal activities have expanded southward, prompting growing national concerns a...

The Kwara State Government has filed a criminal defamation case against former Senate President Bukola Saraki over remarks linked to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. The case is being heard at the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin. The government said the former Senate President made and shared statements on social media and in newspapers, claiming that Governor AbdulRazaq did not attend or complete secondary school education. In the charge filed by the State Ministry of Justice, the government said the claims were false and insulting. It also said the comments could disturb public peace and fall under Section 399 of the Kwara State Penal Code. When the matter came up in court on Wednesday, the prosecution lawyer, Rafiu Balogun, said the case was fixed for arraignment. He asked the court to issue a bench warrant since Saraki was not in court even after being served court papers. The prosecution also urged the court to turn down a request for adjournment from the defence side...

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed those criticising him over lands within the capital city. Wike spoke during the commissioning of Judges Quarters, Court of Appeal, and the flag-off of construction of Quarters for Industrial Court and Code of Conduct Tribunal Judges in Abuja to mark President Bola Tinubu’s third-year anniversary. He explained that he took over lands within the capital city for the sake of development. Wike revealed that some of the plots used for the construction were allocated 15 years ago and left undeveloped but were revoked by the FCT Administration under his leadership and developed for the Judges Quarters. According to him, “This land was allocated to Julius Berger 15 years ago and I revoked it. If you don’t want to be accused don’t be a politician, in fact, the day you become a politician is the day the will write your history, even those who don’t know you. I thank God that today they can see that I trul...

The Senate has cut short its ongoing recess and scheduled an emergency sitting for June 23 to address pressing national issues, with security expected to take centre stage during deliberations. The lawmakers were directed to return to the Senate chamber by 11 a.m. The notice calling for the special session was issued on June 15 by the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo. According to the notice, the emergency meeting was convened on the instruction of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to allow senators consider urgent matters affecting the country. The Senate explained that the special sitting became necessary because of issues requiring immediate legislative attention, especially concerns surrounding national security and other important national matters. The development means senators will return to work earlier than planned. The upper chamber had adjourned plenary on June 11 and was expected to resume regular legislative activities on July 7. The emergency session comes ...

Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has denied reports suggesting that a court ordered his arrest, insisting that he is neither in hiding nor evading law enforcement authorities. Nnaji’s denial followed a recent publication by Premium Times on an alleged court order linked to an investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). In a statement issued on Monday by his spokesperson, Dr Robert Ngwu, Nnaji’s camp described the report as inaccurate. The statement said the former minister remained accessible to public authorities and had never avoided any law enforcement agency. “Chief Nnaji is not in hiding and has never evaded any law enforcement agency,” the statement said. According to the statement, Nnaji has lived at his Asokoro residence in Abuja for nearly two decades, while his Independence Layout residence in Enugu has been publicly known since 1990. “As a former Minister of the Federal Republi...

The Leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church Worldwide, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has criticised the decision to release and reintegrate repentant terrorists into society, describing the move as dangerous amid the country's persistent security challenges. Speaking during a recent prophetic message shared on Facebook, Ayodele expressed concern over the policy of granting freedom to former insurgents while many Nigerians continue to suffer from kidnappings, killings and other forms of insecurity. The cleric specifically questioned the role of political leaders in decisions that allow former terrorists to return to their communities, arguing that such actions could undermine efforts to restore peace and public confidence. “These governors have to be queried,” Ayodele said. According to him, the continued release of former terrorists raises serious concerns at a time when several parts of the country are still battling insecurity and violent attacks. The prophet also r...

A former Commissioner for Works in Ondo State, Chief Erastus Akeju, has died at the age of 88 after a brief illness. Akeju’s death was confirmed in a statement issued on Saturday by the facilitator of the Ondo State APC Elders Forum, Chief Demola Ijabiyi. Akeju previously served as Chairman of Akoko North-West Local Government Area before he was appointed Commissioner for Works during the administration of the late Governor Adebayo Adefarati. He was later involved in party leadership as Chairman of the APC Elders Forum in Ondo State. Senator Olajide Ipinsagba, who represents Ondo North Senatorial District, described the late Akeju as a dedicated leader who spent much of his life serving the people. He said Akeju made strong contributions to the growth of Ondo State, especially during his time in public office. The senator also said Akeju’s work at the local government level stood out for bringing governance closer to the people. According to him, his time in office set a st...

In a statement by its director of public affairs and consumer protection, Michael Achimugu, the NCAA said preliminary information showed the aircraft encountered difficulties during an attempt to land at Asaba Airport, and subsequently executed a missed approach. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has ordered the grounding of a privately operated aircraft, and suspended the operator’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) after it landed on a roadway near Asaba, before departing the area without regulatory clearance. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning in the Ogwashi-Uku area, close to Asaba Airport. In a statement by its director of public affairs and consumer protection, Michael Achimugu, the aviation industry regulator said preliminary information showed the aircraft encountered difficulties during an attempt to land at Asaba Airport, and subsequently executed a missed approach. “Reports from officials at the scene indicate that all occupants exited the...

The Federal Government has processed payments exceeding ₦700 billion in verified obligations owed to local contractors, as part of efforts to clear long-standing debts and inject liquidity into the economy. The Federal Ministry of Finance disclosed this on Monday, June 8, 2026, in a statement issued by its Director of Information and Public Relations, Efe Ovuakporie. According to the ministry, about ₦436.6 billion was processed in May alone, while payments had also been approved for more than 1,240 contractors across Ministries, Departments and Agencies. The ministry said the payments were approved by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, after a verification and reconciliation exercise to ensure that only duly validated claims were paid. It said the latest disbursements were part of the government’s efforts to address inherited payment obligations, especially debts affecting indigenous contractors, small businesses and medium-size...

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a list of candidates contesting bye-elections on the platforms of various political parties. List released in a statement on Monday, is for the bye-elections across various senatorial districts and federal constituencies scheduled for June 20, 2026. The bye-elections will be held in Ondo South senatorial district, Nasarawa North, Rivers South East, Enugu North, Kebbi State House of Assembly (Zuru Constituency) and Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency of Kano State. 1. Ondo South Senatorial District • Adesanya Olaoluwa — APP • Faduyile Francis Adedayo — APC • Akinwumi Adeolu Harrison — APM • Nejo Funso Clement — BP 2. Nasarawa North Senatorial District • Halilu Danladi Envwulu-Aza — APC • Maku Labaran — LP • John Paul Araneshri — NNPP • Emmanuel David Ombugadu — PDP 3. Rivers South East Senatorial District • Douglas Fabeeke Beeka — AA • Osarosaka Ebenezer Erewari — APC • Sam Kinanee Barikpoa — LP • Nwogu O...

The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has approved the disbursement of ₦204,275,209.80 to the next of kin of civil servants who died while in active service in the state. The payment, according to the state government, is part of the administration’s commitment to the welfare of workers, pensioners and families of deceased public servants. The cheques were presented to beneficiaries in Osogbo, the state capital, during a ceremony where the Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina, represented the governor.  In a statement released on Monday, June 1, via its 𝕏 account, the Osun State Government said the total amount released covered beneficiaries at both the state and local government levels. According to the government, ₦125,631,083.45 was approved for beneficiaries at the state level, while ₦78,644,126.35 was released for beneficiaries at the local government level. The government said the payment was meant to provide support to families of workers who lost their b...

Members of the Take-It-Back Movement, on Monday, stormed the Oyo State Government House, Ibadan, to protest worsening insecurity and the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of the state. The protesters defied heavy rainfall as they marched through parts of the state capital, demanding urgent action from the state government and security agencies. They had earlier converged on Mokola Roundabout before proceeding to the Government House, where they called for improved security across schools, roads and communities in the state. Despite the downpour, the demonstrators said they would not abandon the protest because the lives of abducted pupils, teachers and other residents were at stake. They chanted solidarity songs and carried placards with inscriptions calling on the government to act quickly against kidnapping and violent attacks in the state. Some of the placards read, “Security for all, not for a few,” “End kidnapping in Oyo State now,” “Safe...