Month: July 2026

A recent court order mandates the deployment of police lawyers to every station nationwide, enhancing human rights compliance and legal oversight in polici

Read More: https://punchng.com/court-orders-deployment-of-police-lawyers-to-all-stations/

Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasizes that Lagos’s ambition to be a world-class city hinges on disciplined citizens respecting public infrastructure and obeying la

Read More: https://punchng.com/lagos-cant-rival-world-class-cities-without-disciplined-citizens-sanwo-olu/

An APC chieftain commends President Tinubu on the Oyo pupils rescue, urging a comprehensive school safety framework to prevent future abductions and secure

Read More: https://punchng.com/apc-chieftain-hails-tinubu-over-oyo-pupils-rescue-wants-safer-schools/

The Department of State Services, DSS, has released Omoyele Sowore’s media aide, Zainab Sodiq, to the leadership of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria).

Sodiq was arrested and detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) over her possession of a drone.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Secretary of IPI Nigeria, Malam Ahmed Shekarau, said Sodiq was released to the Institute’s leadership at about 7:30 p.m. on Friday following the organisation’s intervention.

Shekarau said: “The Nigerian National Committee of IPI Nigeria has announced the release of journalist Zainab Sodiq, who was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) over her possession of a drone.

“Ms Sodiq was reportedly intercepted by security operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Monday, July 6, 2026, while preparing to travel with the drone.”

The institute’s secretary said she was allowed to continue her journey to Abuja on Monday.

He said she was, however, directed to report to the DSS headquarters on Wednesday, where she was subsequently detained for possessing the device without the requisite End User Certificate.

According to him, IPI Nigeria has confirmed that Sodiq has now been released to the Institute’s leadership.

Commenting on the development, the President of IPI Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed, welcomed Sodiq’s release and commended the DSS for its engagement with the Institute.

“We are pleased that this matter has been resolved and that Ms Sodiq has regained her freedom. We appreciate the DSS for responding to our intervention and for facilitating her release.

“While we recognise the responsibility of security agencies to enforce law and order, such responsibilities should always be discharged with due regard for the constitutional rights of journalists and other citizens.

“We encourage continued dialogue and mutual understanding between security agencies and the media to ensure that legitimate security concerns are addressed without unduly impeding press freedom or journalists carrying out their professional duties.”

The institute appreciated all individuals and organisations that expressed concern over the journalist’s detention and supported efforts to secure her release.

It reiterated its commitment to constructive engagement with relevant authorities to safeguard press freedom while recognising legitimate national security concerns within the framework of the law and respect for fundamental human rights.

IPI Nigeria is the Nigerian affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI Global), a worldwide network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in more than 100 countries.

DSS frees Sowore’s media aide detained over drone

A blogger who claims to be the publisher of Igbo Times Magazine and INews, Mr. Ejike Ofoegbu Experience, has apologised for publishing a series of news items in which he disparaged the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and his son, Ozonna.

The blogger had published four news articles after a video of Ozonna went viral, showing him dancing to a song that called out some Nigerian politicians, including his father.

Ofoegbu claimed in one of the reports that Governor Soludo had said he disowned his son years ago and was no longer responsible for his actions.

In another report, he claimed that Ozonna granted an interview in which he said he had first disowned his father, listing several reasons for doing so.

However, in a retraction and apology video posted on his page, Ofoegbu pleaded for forgiveness, admitting that the stories were false, as none of the individuals mentioned granted any interview.

He confessed that he fabricated the stories in the hope that they would go viral, thereby increasing the popularity of his blogs and generating revenue.

He said: “I wish to offer my deepest and most sincere apology to Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, the Executive Governor of Anambra State, his family, and the general public.

“I publicly admit that the stories I published concerning Governor Soludo and his son were completely fake, false, fabricated, and untrue. They did not come from Governor Soludo, his son, his family, or any official representative. They were not based on any verified facts or credible source, and they should never have been presented as news.”

He further stated: “I also apologise to the people of Anambra State, readers of Igbo Times Magazine and INews, and everyone who may have seen or shared these false publications. I am committed to correcting this mistake and ensuring that such an incident does not happen again.”

Some of the headlines he published read: “Breaking News: I will arrest anyone who calls Ozo my son. He is not my son. I disowned him years ago, and he is no longer a member of the Soludo family.” 

Another read: “Just In: I Don’t Take Advice From My Father. He Was a Drunkard Who Beat My Mom When I Was Young. His Treatment of My Mother Made Me Decide Never to Take Advice From Him — ‘Soludo’s Son’ Speaks Out.”

Two other fabricated headlines read: “Breaking News: I ordered Ozo from Temu. He is Chinese-made, not my son. Even at the hospital when he was born, I asked the doctor, ‘I hope you didn’t accidentally exchange my real son.’ Ozo is from Temu,” Soludo jokingly told reporters. Another read: “Breaking News: They should organise a drinking competition between my father and Wike. I just want to see something. I’m willing to bet my life that my father would win. People don’t understand his drinking capacity.” — Ozo.

It is not yet clear whether Ofoegbu has been arrested by security operatives, as the apology message was accompanied by a video in which he appeared visibly frightened while apologising for his actions.

Blogger admits fabricating stories about Soludo’s family

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the conversion of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, into the Federal University of Mining, Engineering and Technology, Nasarawa.

This the presidency said is in a major boost to the country’s technical education sector and efforts to harness Nigeria’s vast solid mineral resources

The approval, announced in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, followed a proposal sponsored by the Senator representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District, Ahmed Aliyu Wadada.

According to Onanuga, Senator Wadada had urged the Federal Government to transform the institution into a specialised university dedicated to mining and engineering, arguing that Nasarawa State’s rich mineral deposits make it an ideal location for a centre focused on developing the skilled manpower required to drive Nigeria’s mining industry.

With the presidential approval, the institution will be repositioned as a specialised university offering teaching, research and innovation in mining, engineering, mineral processing, metallurgy, manufacturing, and other emerging technologies.

The new university is also expected to play a strategic role in producing professionals capable of advancing value addition in the solid minerals sector, promoting industrial innovation and supporting the sustainable development of Nigeria’s natural resources.

The Presidency described the decision as part of President Tinubu’s broader reform agenda to align higher education with national economic priorities by establishing specialised institutions that address critical manpower needs in key sectors of the economy.

To ensure a seamless transition, the President has directed the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and other relevant agencies to immediately commence the legal, regulatory and administrative processes required to implement the upgrade.

Tinubu approves upgrade of Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa to Specialised University following Wadada’s proposal

The Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has taken a swipe at the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, over his debate challenge.

Speaking during an interview with media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo, the former Anambra state governor said Umahi must first become a presidential candidate before inviting him to such an engagement.

He was responding to a question on whether he would accept Umahi’s challenge after criticising the state of Nigerian roads, saying the debate had already been settled because his criticism of a bad road led to repairs.

Obi likened the situation to a football team that had qualified for the FIFA World Cup being challenged by one that failed to qualify, noting that presidential debates are generally reserved for leading presidential candidates.

“If he is inviting me to a debate as a presidential candidate, then he has to become a presidential candidate first.

“The World Cup is going on now. You cannot stay outside and invite a team that qualified for the World Cup to come and play against you simply because you think you are good. No. There is a qualification process,” he said.

Obi’s response comes days after Umahi said the former Anambra governor was not a political threat to President Bola Tinubu or the ruling All Progressives Congress.

You must first become presidential candidate before debating with me – Peter Obi knocks Umahi