Nation
THE STATES
Benue
The Benue State Government says it has adopted a
new formula for the sharing of relief materials to victims of current attacks in the state.
Executive Secretary of the state Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr Adikpo Agbatse told newsmen in Makurdi that the formula was evolved to ensure equity in the distribution of the materials.
He said 40 per cent of the materials would go to those in temporary camps, while the remaining 60 per cent would be shared to local government councils and wards affected by the crises for distribution to victims.
Agbatse explained that the policy was to ensure that the assistance got to rural communities and to discourage people from staying in camps.
Kaduna
Jema’a Local Government Council of Kaduna State,
says it has relaxed the 24-hour curfew imposed in Kafanchan by 10 hours.
Our correspondent reports that a 24-hour curfew was imposed in Kafanchan township recently, following the youths’ reaction to the arrest of 24 men allegedly in possession of arms.
Chairman, Mr Daniel Amos, of the council said in Kafanchan that residents were now free to go about their businesses from 6 am to 4 pm.
“The development is due to relative calm witnessed within the metropolis.
Kwara
An Area Court in Kaiama, Kwara State, has granted
the prayer for divorce filed by a housewife, Rakiat Alidu.
Rakiat, who said her four-year-old marriage to her husband, Musa, was blessed with a child, filed for divorce because the union“ lacked the needed love.”
The President of the court, Malam Ahmed Yahaya, held that the divorce was granted in line with the provisions of the law in favour of Rakiat.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State-owned University of Science and
Technology has commenced a general training for the 8,689 newly recruited personnel to teach in the state’s secondary schools.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Abdu Zuru, told newsmen in Aliero that the seven-week training would focus on classroom management, lesson plan, scheme of work and extra-curricular activities. “The training will be conducted in batches, with each batch consisting of 1,200 teachers,’’ he said.
According to him, the trainees will receive a weekly stipend of N2,000 each.
Katsina
The Katsina State Government has approved N100
million to assist victims of the recent attack in Faskari, Sabuwa and Safana Local Government Areas of the state.
The state’s Head of Service, Alhaji Muhammad Aliyu, announced the donation at a news conference in Katsina recently.
Aliyu said the money would be shared among relations of those who died or suffered injury during the attack.
Aliyu said he would head the committee that would distribute the money, explaining that the gesture was part of government’s determination to identify with the people in time of distress.
Lagos
An Abule Egba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos has sen
tenced a 20-year-old meat seller, Oye Adeleke to three years imprisonment for raping his customer’s under-aged daughter.
The Magistrate, Mr Tajudeen Elias, sentenced Adeleke without an option of fine.
“This will serve as deterrent to others who indulge in having sex with a teenager.
This sentencing is mitigated by virtue of the leg injury of the defendant and remorse on his part,’’ Elias said, while convicting Adeleke.
Nasarawa
A Grade 1 Area Court in Aso Pada, Mararaba,
Nasarawa State, has sentenced a timber dealer, Felix Sunday, to three years in prison for criminal breach of trust and cheating.
The presiding judge, Mr Albert Maga, gave the judgment and ordered the convict to pay N670,000 as compensation to one Mr Benedit Oyika, the plaintiff.
Maga, however, gave option of N10,000 fine to the convict.
Earlier, the plaintiff in his testimony, told the court that one of his friends introduced the convict to him as a timber dealer.
Oyo
A Grade “C ” Customary Court in Iseyin, Oyo State,
has ordered Idowu Oluokun, Muiz Adebayo and Muniru Adeyemi, who are all claiming paternity of a six-year-old, to maintain the peace.
The President of the court, Mr Kareem Adelodun, gave the order after informing Oluokun and Adebayo who were in court that a third claimant, Adeyemi, had also written claiming paternity of the child.
Adelodun, who adjourned further hearing on the matter until April 7, also ordered all the parties to produce evidence of paternity.
Ogun
The Chief Dr Babatunde Banuso Medical Director of
the State Hospital, Ota, Ogun State, has warned Nigerians against using local herbs whose efficacy could not be ascertained.
Banuso said in an interview with newsmen in Ota that they might have side effects with serious health implications.
“The side effects of some of the traditional herbs on the human system can be disastrous as it could lead to deadly diseases like kidney and cancer,’’ he said.
He said the resort to herbs had been identified as one of the contributing factors to the ill-health of many people across the country.
Plateau
The National Emergency Management Agency
(NEMA), has said it has established 11 camps for the 100,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from eight crisis-ridden local governments in Benue.
The NEMA Coordinator for North-Central, Mr Mohammed Abdulsalam made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Jos.
He said “each camp has a minimum of 8,500 IDPs.
“The camps are just too populated and we are thinking of establishing more because more people are trooping into Makurdi from even the areas that have not been attacked.
Taraba
The police command in Taraba State says it has
arrested nine people who specialised in stealing yam tubers in Ibi Local Government Area of the state.
The Public Relations Officer of the command , ASP Joseph Kwaji, made the disclosure at a news conference in Jalingo.
Kwaji said a police patrol team in Ibi arrested the suspects, comprising seven men and two women, while stealing the produce.
He said the suspects are Abdullahi Umaru, Yunusa A Yunusa, Mustapha Hamusu, Idris Mohammed, Adamu Muhammed, Yusuf Aliyu, Mairo Maijaki, Adamu Musa and Hauwa Shagari.
Zamfara
More than N1.3 billion has been spent by the
Tertiary Institutions Trust Fund (TETFUND) to improve facilities at the Zamfara State College of Education, Maru, since 2011.
The Provost of the College, Alhaji Kabir Dankande said this in an interview with newsmen in Maru.
Dankande said the institution had recorded various transformations through its partnership with TETFUND, especially in the areas of physical structures and manpower development.
Executive Secretary, African Capacity Building Foundation (acbf), Prof. Emmanuel Nnadozie (left), exchanging documents with Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, after signing projects grants agreement between National Institute for Legislative Studies (nils) and acbf in Abuja, recently. Photo: NAN
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.
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.
