Author: Naija Daily News

…Convicts, vessel fined $4.3m, Nigeria accomplices to face trial By Didimoko A. Didimoko with agency report The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured the conviction of 10 Thai sailors and their vessel, MV Chayanee Naree, for smuggling 32.9 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria through the Apapa Seaport in Lagos. Investigation by our reporter showed that the street value of a gram of cocaine is up to $150, and the 33.9kg of the illicit drug could sell for up to $5 million, depending on the location. Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos delivered the judgment,…

By Deborah Nnamdi The Ondo State Police Command has launched an investigation into the mysterious disappearance of a two-month-old baby in Ode-Irele, located in the Irele Local Government Area of the state. According to information obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the incident occurred around 9:00 p.m. on Monday at Gbeleju Quarters in the town. Reports indicate that the baby’s mother (name withheld) briefly left the new born in the care of a two-year-old sibling while she stepped out to purchase a few items from a nearby shop. Upon her return, the baby was missing, and the toddler…

By Deborah Nnamdi Panic spread through the Agulu and Nanka communities in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State on Thursday following the fatal shooting of a lawyer and his client by unidentified gunmen shortly after a court appearance. Eyewitnesses said the victims were ambushed and killed without resistance at a boundary point between Nanka and Agulu, along the Amawbia-Agulu-Nanka-Ekwulobia-Uga-Akokwa Road. The lawyer had earlier appeared in court with his client, but both were trailed and attacked soon after leaving the court premises. According to sources, the case being handled was of significant importance. One eyewitness recounted that the assailants…

By Deborah Nnamdi A High Court sitting in Benin, on Thursday remanded a 56-year old man, Festus Ugo, in a correctional centre over alleged rape of a 13-year old girl. Ugo, whose address was not given, is charged with rape. The Prosecutor, I.E Ekibade, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on May 8, at Upper Mission Road, New Benin, in the Benin Judicial Division. Ekibade said that the offence contravened Sections 4(1) and Section 5(1) of the Edo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibited) Law, 2021. The prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional…

By Deborah Nnamdi The Adamawa State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 22-year-old commercial tricycle operator, Habubakar Umar, over allegations of sexually assaulting four boys aged between eight and nine. According to a statement issued on Thursday by Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje, the suspect, a resident of Rumde Baru in Yola North Local Government Area, was apprehended on May 14, 2025, by officers from the State Intelligence Department. The arrest followed a report filed by the father of two of the victims, who had engaged Umar to transport his children to school. The father alleged…

Nigeria experienced a modest ease in inflation last month, with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) confirming a drop in the headline inflation rate to 23.71% in April 2025, down from 24.23% in March. The figures, published in the agency’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) update on Thursday, reflect a 0.52 percentage point decrease year-on-year. Month-on-month inflation also saw a notable slowdown. The average price increase for April was recorded at 1.86%, significantly lower than the 3.90% rate observed in March. According to the NBS, this indicates a reduced pace in the rise of consumer prices when compared to the previous…

Over eight suspected kidnappers have been arrested by the Delta State Police Command, which also recovered a total of N4 million in ransom money. The arrests were part of a series of operations aimed at curbing rising criminal activity in the state, Commissioner of Police Abaniwonda Olufemi announced during a press briefing in Asaba. On May 12, officers from the Dragon Patrol Team stopped a gold Toyota Sienna along the Kwale/Ozoro expressway. A search of the vehicle uncovered N3.1 million in cash, leading to the arrest of four suspects. They were later linked to the abduction of a woman in…

Photo: Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu Lagos is set to take centre stage once again as it prepares to host the 2025 edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), following an official announcement by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the International Committee of AFRIMA. The announcement was made during a high-profile event at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where the AFRIMA 2025 calendar was also unveiled. The schedule highlights key activities leading up to the grand finale, which will be held in Lagos from November 25 to 30, 2025. This year’s theme, “Unstoppable Africa,” celebrates…

Popular social media influencer Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has been re-arraigned at the Federal High Court Abuja over allegations of cyberbullying involving top Nigerian celebrities Iyabo Ojo, Tonto Dikeh, and music producer Samklef. VDM faced a five-count charge under the Cybercrime Act 2015, Section 24, relating to the publication of defamatory and offensive content on his Instagram handle @verydarkblackman. He pleaded not guilty to all charges before Justice Musa Liman. Background and Court Proceedings The case was initially brought before Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon in May 2024 but was reassigned following her transfer. The charges were first filed…

The Senate has promised to expose violators of the federal character system of recruiting into Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Sen. Allwell Onyesoh (PDP- Rivers) said this at an investigative hearing on Violation of the Federal Character System on recruitment across the various MDAs. Onyesoh urged the MDAs not to hide any documents needed for the investigation. “As enshrined in Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Federal Character Principle is fundamental to our national cohesion. “It mandates that governance must reflect the diversity of our federation to prevent domination by any one group or region. “Sadly, systemic…