Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Adamawa State Government says it will close all
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the state in January 2017.
The Deputy Governor of the state, Mr Martins Babale, made this known in Yola while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Security Council meeting.
Babale said that the administration was not happy with the continuous existence of IDPs in camps across the state.
The deputy governor, who is also the chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency, said that the continuous stay of IDPs in the camps when all parts of the state affected by the insurgency had been recovered, was not good publicity for the state.
Benue
The wife of the Benue State Governor, Mrs Eunice Ortom,
has donated two cows and foodstuffs worth millions of naira to 300 widows and youths in the state.
Ortom donated the foodstuffs in Tse-Aondona-Naka in Gwer-West Local Government Area of the state, including bags of rice, salt, millet, guinea corn, garri, and gallons palm oil.
Ortom, who hails from the local government area, said she made the donation so that her kinsmen would be able to celebrate Christmas and New Year merrily.
The governor’s wife, who was accompanied by her siblings and children, assured the people of the area that Governor Samuel Ortom would uplift their living standard.
Borno
The Nigerian Army says it has arrested about 1,240 sus
pected Boko Haram terrorists during a mop-up operation by troops inside the Sambisa forest.
The Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. -Gen. Leo Irabor, disclosed this while giving update to newsmen on Operation Rescue Final at the Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.
Irabor said that 413 of the suspects were adults; 323 were female adults; 251 male children, while 253 were female children.
He said that the suspects were apprehended during a mop-up operation against the sect members in the forest.
Ekiti
A Magistrates’ Court in Ado-Ekiti has ordered one 54-
year old Gabriel Asateru to be remanded in prison over alleged defilement of a five-year old girl.
The police prosecutor, Insp. Bayo Ajiboye, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on December 23 at Ifishin-Ekiti.
Ajiboye said the accused, on the said date, defiled the minor by luring her to sit on his laps.
Ajiboye said a duplicate of the case file had been sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), for legal advice.
Gombe
Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State has con
doled with Malam Sidi and Jigawa State communities of Kwami and Nafada local government areas over the death of 22 persons in vehicle crashes.
They were crushed by a vehicle during Maulud celebration on December 12 in an accident that left 33 others hospitalised.
Dankwambo, who spoke through his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Ahmed Yayari, said he received news of the incident with shock while out of the state.
The governor called on the families to take it as an act of God and to continue to pray for the souls of the deceased.
Kaduna
The Nigerian Police, have said that they have arrested 17
suspects and recovered different types of arms and ammunitions since it started a special operation in southern Kaduna State.
The special security outfit, tagged “Operation Harmony”, to restore lasting peace in southern Kaduna, was launched on December 24.
The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) incharge of the Operations, Mr Habila Joshak, paraded the suspects to newsmen in Kafanchan, and said the suspects were all linked to the crisis.
The items recovered from the suspects included, six locally made AK-47 guns, four pump action guns, two revolver guns and one single barret.
He also said 75 different of types of ammunition and 13 cartridges were also recovered.
Katsina
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) says no
fewer than 141 people had so far lost their lives in road accidents in Katsina State in 2016.
The FRSC Sector Commander, Alhaji Abdu Bagadawa, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Katsina.
He explained that over 116 road accidents had been recorded while 559 persons had sustained various degrees of injuries in road crashes across the state.
Bagadawa attributed the accidents to dangerous driving, speeding, over-loading, wrong overtaking, route violation and burst tyres.
Kebbi
Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State said that the
litigation on tenure of past chairmen had delayed the conduct of local government election in the state.
Bagudu made the disclosure while conducting the swearing-in ceremony for 18 newly appointed sole administrators of local government councils in Birnin Kebbi.
He said the determination of the suit would enable his administration to conduct fresh local government election.
The governor, however, urged the newly appointed administrators to ensure rapid development in rural areas by ensuring comprehensive implementation of policies and programmes of the state and Federal Government.
Kwara
The Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, says
that the proposed creation of Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state, when created, will bring about development and drive revenue generation at the local level in the state.
The governor said this in Ilorin during the submission of the report of Committee on Creation of LCDAs by its Chairman, Alhaji Kawu Baraje.
Ahmed said that revenue to be generated from the planned LCDAs revenue would fund their operations and contribute to the promotion of welfare and other socio economic benefits for the people at the grassroots.
He said the establishment of the committee was informed by the desire of his administration to bring development to the grassroots in the state.
Kogi
An environmentalist, Mrs Chinelo Agu, has called for
intensified awareness about fire prevention and training on emergency response to fire outbreaks in Nigeria.
Agu, a lecturer at the Shell Centre for Environmental Management and Control (CEMAC), University of Nigeria, Nsukka, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Lokoja.
She said that government agencies and other relevant stakeholders, responsible for emergency management, should educate the populace on the management of emergency situations.
The environmentalist also stressed the need for every employee in the Ministries, Departments, parastatal Agencies (MDAs), and organisations to undergo a special training on safety and emergency response to fire outbreaks.
Niger
The Commissioner of Police in Niger State, Mr Zubairu
Muazu, says the state police command recorded violence free Christmas celebration due to the residents’ peaceful conduct during the period.
Muazu said in Minna that crime or violence was not recorded in the state during the period because the command was conscious of its duty.
This, he explained, was made possible by the cooperation received from residents.
He said that the police would continue to initiate various forms of security measures to sustain the peaceful nature the area was known for.
Ogun
The Ogun State House of Assembly has passed the 2017
Appropriation Bill of N221.09 billion into law.
The legislature however cut N38.5 million from the initial N221.12 billion presented to the House by Governor Ibikunle Amosun.
The bill, passed at the assembly’s plenary, had a recurrent expenditure of N91.4 billion while N118.5 billion was appropriated for capital expenditure.
Amosun had on November 22 presented a fiscal proposal of N221.12 billion to the House.
The Majority Leader, Mr Adeyinka Mafe, moved the motion for the third reading which was seconded by Mr Mojeed Soyebo, after which the Clerk, Mr Lanre Bisiriyu, did the third reading.
Ondo
Ondo State Governor-elect, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, has
inaugurated a 21-member Transition Committee ahead of his inauguration on February 24, 2017.
Akeredolu also inaugurated two other committees to help chart a course for the incoming administration.
He said that the transition committee, headed by Dr Funso Kupolokun would “interact with the incumbent government of Ondo State to ensure a seamless transition and effective receipt of detailed handover notes.”
The governor-elect, also announced the formation of a 158-member Strategic Development and Policy Implementation Committee, headed by Mr Agboola Ajayi.
Osun
A 30- year-old man, Kola Banjo, who allegedly stole a mo
torcycle valued N133,000, was arraigned before a Modakeke Magistrates’ Court in Osun State.
The accused is facing a charge of stealing.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Glory Ona said the accused committed the offence on December 1, around 4.00 a.m. at No 4, Yaya Quarters, Modakeke, in Ife North-East.
She said the accused stole a Bajaj Boxer motorcycle with registration No: WDE 378 AQ; property of one Oluwaseyi Ojediran.
Taraba
The police in Taraba State have confirmed the death of one
person in an attack on the convoy of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Alhaji Adamu Mohammed, in Ibi Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, David Misal said in an interview with newsmen in Jalingo that the incident occurred at about 6 p.m. last Wednesday at Mala village.
He added that three persons, critically injured in the attack, were on admission at the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo.
Nation
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Nation
Don Calls For National Forensic Data Bank To Combat Rising Crime
The Head of the Department of Anatomy at the University of Port Harcourt’s College of Health Sciences, Prof Gabriel Sunday Oladipo, has underscored the urgent need for Nigeria to develop a comprehensive forensic science infrastructure, warning that the nation’s ability to investigate and solve crime is being hampered by lack of scientific data and systems.
In his inaugural lecture titled, “Man: Fearfully Different, Wonderfully Made,” delivered as part of the 207th Inaugural Lecture Series of the university, Prof Oladipo highlighted that while no two individuals are exactly the same, the country currently lacks the robust systems needed to collect and manage biological and anthropometric data that could support criminal investigations.
He explained that the natural variations among humans — from fingerprints to physical measurements — form the foundation of personal identification in forensic work. These biological differences, he said, are essential for distinguishing one person from another, especially in the context of criminal investigations where clarity of identity can mean the difference between justice and impunity. Without this scientific foundation, he argued, law enforcement agencies lack a critical tool in the fight against crime.
Experts have noted that Nigeria’s forensic science capacity has historically lagged behind needs, with only a few forensic facilities available and many law enforcement agencies struggling to access or use scientific evidence effectively. One review of the state of forensic investigation in Nigeria found that outdated facilities and limited adoption of modern forensic methods have left many cases unsolved or poorly investigated, even as crime rates rise across the country.
In Lagos, efforts to improve forensic capabilities have focused on DNA analysis, with the Lagos State DNA Forensic Centre — the first of its kind in West Africa — providing critical support for criminal investigations and helping to identify human remains, link related cases, and assist with paternity testing. However, such initiatives are yet to be replicated at a national scale, leaving many regions without access to these vital scientific tools.
Prof Oladipo’s lecture went beyond academic theory to propose concrete actions. He called for the establishment of a National Institute of Forensic Science responsible for creating and managing a nationwide anthropometric and forensic data bank. This repository, he stressed, would significantly enhance Nigeria’s capacity to track crime, assist law enforcement agencies, and improve the administration of justice by providing reliable scientific evidence for investigative and legal processes.
He also highlighted the importance of strengthening research and training in forensic science. Many Nigerian universities currently lack the funding and infrastructure to offer complete undergraduate or postgraduate programs in areas such as forensic anthropology, DNA analysis, and crime scene investigation, a gap that forces aspiring experts to rely on collaborations with institutions abroad. By fostering a research-friendly environment and securing greater support from both government and private sectors, Nigerian institutions could produce homegrown experts capable of advancing forensic science in the country.
Awareness of forensic science’s role in criminal justice remains low among the general public and even among some security professionals. Studies have shown that a significant portion of Nigerians are unfamiliar with basic forensic concepts or the existence of tools such as DNA profiling and national forensic databases — tools that are common features of criminal justice systems in countries like South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Prof Oladipo also urged regular training and retraining programs to keep forensic practitioners updated with evolving scientific methods. According to him, continuous professional development is critical in a field where technological advances — from biometric databases to digital forensic tools — are transforming how crimes are investigated and solved.
The lecture was attended by academics, students, and professionals drawn to the intersection of science, identity, and justice, all of whom heard the professor make a compelling case for scientific innovation and institutional reform as central to Nigeria’s effort to contain crime and strengthen its justice system.
The event not only showcased Prof Oladipo’s expertise in human anatomy and forensic psychology but also positioned forensic science as a strategic national priority — one that could bring clarity to investigations, support victims and their families, and ultimately enhance public safety across Nigeria.
Nation
UPWA Hosts Colourful Inter-House Sports Fiesta
The University of Port Harcourt Women Association (UPWA) on Thursday staged a vibrant and memorable edition of its Annual Inter-House Sports Competition at the University of Port Harcourt Sports Village, drawing an impressive turnout of pupils, parents, staff and invited guests.
The event, organised by the UPWA International Group of Schools, brought together children from the pre-nursery, nursery and secondary sections in a colourful celebration of youth athleticism, discipline and teamwork. The arena came alive with cheers and excitement as pupils, clad in their various house colours, marched in a ceremonial parade before proceeding to compete in a wide range of track and field events, relays, novelty races and other team-based activities designed to promote physical fitness and healthy competition.
Declaring the competition open, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Owunari Georgewill, commended UPWA for sustaining a tradition that continues to nurture young talents beyond the classroom. He noted that sports remain a critical component of holistic education, helping to build resilience, confidence, leadership skills and social interaction among children.
In her remarks, the President of UPWA, Professor Udeme Georgewill, expressed appreciation to parents, teachers and members of the organising committee for their dedication and sacrifice in ensuring the success of the programme despite prevailing economic challenges. She described the event as a reflection of unity and collective effort within the school community.
“This is the first time White House is emerging overall winner, and that shows remarkable improvement and great sportsmanship,” she said. “We all had fun. It is not easy putting an event like this together considering the economic situation, but we are grateful to the parents for being part of this journey. The excitement everywhere is truly heartwarming.”
The competition featured spirited participation from the various houses, including Purple House, San Chicago Red House and White House, with pupils demonstrating strength, speed, coordination and teamwork. Parents and supporters filled the stands, cheering enthusiastically and adding colour to the spectacle, while teachers ensured orderliness and safety throughout the proceedings.
Professor Georgewill emphasized that the true essence of sports lies not merely in winning trophies but in participation and personal growth. “Sports is not just about winning. It is an avenue for growth, discipline and opportunity. The fact that a child is able to participate is already a win. Losing this year does not mean you cannot win next year. Keep trying,” she encouraged, urging pupils to see both victory and defeat as stepping stones to greater achievements.
She further observed that while there are many competing interests in the Nigerian sports sector, consistent grassroots investment remains essential for discovering and nurturing future champions.
The colourful ceremony culminated in medal presentations, trophy awards and group photographs, with UPWA executives, including Vice President I, Professor Adedamola Onyeaso, joining the participating teams to celebrate the day’s achievements.
The annual inter-house sports competition continues to stand as one of UPWA’s flagship events, reinforcing its commitment to balanced education, character formation and the promotion of healthy lifestyles among its pupils.
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