Author: Naija Daily News

Photo: Vice President of Colombia, Francia Marquez By Didimoko A. Didimoko with agency report Abuja played host to high-level diplomacy on Saturday as the Vice President of Colombia, Francia Márquez, arrived in Nigeria for a three-day official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between both countries. Márquez, who was accompanied by her husband, Rafael Yerney Pinillo Ocoró, touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport where she was received by senior Nigerian government officials. Among those present to welcome her were the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji; Minister of Women Affairs, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Minister of…

Photo: Osamede Director and Executive Producer James Omokwe and Lilian Olubi, respectively By Oghenekevwe Kofi It was an afternoon rich in history, culture, and cinematic anticipation as the forthcoming film Osamede was officially unveiled in a virtual media parley hosted by Gloria Babarinde. More than 30 participants joined the Zoom session, where Gloria set the tone by walking attendees through the remarkable heritage of the Edo people, the grandeur of the Benin Kingdom, and the tragic invasion that shaped much of its history. She then introduced the director, James Omokwe, who began by paying tribute to Lilian Olubi, the producer…

By Deborah Nnamdi Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed strong approval of Saturday’s local government elections in Rivers State, declaring the process to be credible and widely supported by voters across the state. Speaking after casting his ballot at Polling Unit 007, Ward 9 (Rumuepirikom Kingdom) in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Wike commended the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for successfully organizing the elections in line with existing regulations. He dismissed concerns regarding potential legal challenges to the process, assuring that the elections were entirely legitimate. “I want to thank RSIEC for ensuring the…

A man deliberately drove his car into a crowd outside a wine bar in northern France early Saturday morning, killing one person and injuring five others. The attack occurred following an altercation, prosecutors told AFP. The incident unfolded in Evreux, a town in the Normandy region, around 4:00 a.m. local time (0200 GMT). Prosecutors have launched an investigation into homicide and attempted homicide, confirming that there is no indication of any “terrorist” or racist motives behind the attack.” The situation is tragic,” said Remi Coutin, the public prosecutor in Evreux. “One person tragically lost their life at the scene.” Of…

A 23-year-old woman, Nmesoma Josephine Nwoye, has been arrested for allegedly staging her own kidnapping to extort money from her parents, in collaboration with her 24-year-old boyfriend, Chibuike Ogbu. The two were apprehended on Friday by the Anambra State Police Command after intelligence operations uncovered their plot. A total of N1.2 million, part of the N3 million ransom paid by Nwoye’s family, was recovered from the suspects. According to a statement from the police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the pair initially demanded a ransom of N15 million but ultimately agreed to accept N3 million, which was transferred to Nwoye’s account.…

Despite the Rivers State government’s 12-hour no-movement order for the local government elections on Saturday, some traders and shop owners in the Obio/Akpor area continued to operate, citing economic pressures and survival concerns. The state government had imposed the restriction to ensure smooth elections for chairmanship and councillorship positions across all 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs). However, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) observed that many shops and roadside stalls remained open, with traders serving customers throughout the day. Mr. Chinedu Okoro, a provision store owner in Woji Ward 6, admitted he was aware of the directive but felt he…

By Deborah Nnamdi A 42-year-old pastor, Samson Ajayi, has been ordered into custody at the Olokuta Correctional Centre by a Magistrate Court in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, over allegations of raping his 17-year-old biological daughter. Ajayi, a father of five, faces two counts of rape and defilement. He was arrested last week after his wife filed a report with the police in the Igoba area of Akure North Local Government, alleging that her husband had been sexually abusing their daughter. During the court proceedings, Police Prosecutor Supol Martins Olowofeso revealed that the abuse reportedly spanned over four years—from…

By Deborah Nnamdi The Nigerian military has arrested over 70 terrorists and rescued more than 90 kidnapped victims in a series of coordinated operations across the North East, North West, and North Central regions over the past week. In Borno State, troops of the Joint Task Force under Operation Hadin Kai apprehended 11 terrorist collaborators and informants. Recovered items included ammunition, logistics supplies, illicit drugs (including PMS), vehicles, motorcycles, and N70,050 in cash. Troops also safely detonated several improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Abadam, Gwoza, and Mobbar Local Government Areas. According to Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations,…

By Deborah Nnamdi The Osun State Police Command has arrested six suspected cult members allegedly involved in criminal activities in Osogbo and surrounding communities. Command spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Osogbo. He said the arrests were part of ongoing efforts by the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, to clamp down on cultism and related crimes in the state. According to Ojelabi, two suspects were arrested on August 21 at about 6:30 p.m. during a student union event at a higher institution in the state. Acting on intelligence, officers from the Anti-Cultism Unit…

By Deborah Nnamdi The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed an unlicensed herbal medicine production facility in Kaduna State. The facility, operating under the name SHIFA’UNNUR, was located in Mararaba Jos, Igabi Local Government Area. It was shut down on Friday for operating without registration and failing to meet minimum regulatory standards. Mr. Shamsuddeen Mani, Principal Regulatory Officer who led the operation, disclosed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the action followed credible intelligence. He revealed that the facility was producing multiple herbal products without NAFDAC approval. “We acted swiftly based on…