News
Jos Bombing: Army Arrests Suspect
The Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade yesterday said security agents had arrested one suspect in connection with the May 20 bombing in Jos Central Market, Plateau State.
He made the disclosure at a joint news conference by the National Information Centre, Abuja.
He said the suspect was already providing the lead for subsequent aspects of investigation into the incident.
According to him, security agencies are carrying out nationwide surveillance and that the surveillance is yielding positive results.
Olukolade said “a number of persons, who are planning to continue the bombing spree, have also been arrested.
“But as a mark of vigilance of the security agencies, as well as the citizens who are giving useful information, the bomb planners were apprehended.
“Troops have continued to raid locations and in the course of which, a number of arrests have been made in places like Kachia in Kaduna State and Zamfara.’’
The defence information director said arms and ammunition were recovered from the suspects, adding that the raid would continue so as to check violence in the country.
He also confirmed the killing of 25 security personnel, comprising 12 soldiers and 13 policemen at Buni Yadi town, Yobe, by the Boko Haram insurgents on Tuesday.
He said “I wish to confirm to you that there was a massive attack on Buni Yadi town in Yobe, where some gallant soldiers and policemen lost their lives.
“The casualty stands at 12 soldiers and 13 policemen, as revealed by initial investigations into the incident.’’
He said the attack was “primarily targeted at the town”.
However, the Plateau police command has confirmed the killing of four persons by unknown gunmen on Tuesday night in Wat village, Kuru, in the Jos South Local Government Area of the state.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Felicia Anslem, confirmed the incident in an interview with newsmen yesterday in Jos.
Anslem said that the village was attacked by unknown gunmen when the people were asleep, and killed four persons and injured others.
She said that investigation into the killings had commenced, and called on members of the community to remain calm.
Media Officer of the Special Task Force in charge of security in Plateau, Capt. Ikedichi Iweha also confirmed the attack but declined to give any details.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, yesterday said the military would remain focused in the discharge of its duties “in spite of unreasonable criticisms.’’
Badeh made the disclosure when members of Social Welfare Network Initiative, an NGO, paid a solidarity visit to the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
He said “no matter the criticisms or what people do, the Nigerian Armed Forces will continue to do what it had sworn to do.’’
“We swore to defend the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to defend the integrity of our states.
“It is your military, you don’t have another one so, encourage your military to do well. We must all be patriotic as Nigerians to defend our country.’’
Badeh, however, said that what the country was fighting was above Boko Haram, noting that the group which started in Maiduguri as a small group had now gone out of hand.
“It is now an Al- Quada in West Africa and Central Africa. We have evidence from people outside Nigeria fighting with Nigeria so it is no longer Boko Haram, it is Al- Quada we are fighting.
“You are aware that we have international partners working with us to release our girls and our girls will be released.’’
Earlier, the National Coordinator of the NGO, Mr Emmauel Osemeka, had told the defence chief that the visit was in solidarity and support for the military.
Osemeka commended the army’s efforts to tackle the insurgency problem in the country and other vices, saying “members of the armed forces have been on the streets, in the bushes, on lonely roads, along the border stretch and across the length and breadth of Nigeria.
“We are not unmindful of the supreme sacrifice being paid every second, minute, hour, day and week by our brothers and sisters to protect our territorial integrity.’’
“We are proud of our Armed Forces and will continue to support your efforts.’’
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.