Police said the suspects were arrested in separate operations in Anambra and Enugu States between Monday and Wednesday.
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Lawmakers said repeated evasion of oversight and the failure of federal agencies to submit audited financial statements undermine fiscal discipline and transparency.
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Traditional rulers operating under the Network of Kings from the Osun Countryside have denounced the renewed cases of kidnapping in Ora-Igbomina, a community situated along the boundaries of Osun, Kwara and Ekiti states.
The monarchs described the incidents as disturbing and unacceptable, warning that the trend poses serious risks to residents and traditional institutions in the affected area.
Their position was contained in a joint statement signed by the President of the network, Oba Dr Adewale Ojarotade, the Alaa of Ila Ijesa; the Secretary, Oba Amuda Ajadi Adio, the Olukotun of Ikotun; and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Oba Professor Adekunle Okunoye, the Eburu of Oba.
The statement was issued shortly after the royal delegation paid a condolence and solidarity visit to Oba Johnson Adekanmi Abikoye, the Asaooni of Ora Igbomina, and members of the community following recent attacks by suspected armed bandits.
According to the monarchs, the infiltration of criminal elements through border towns connecting Kwara and Ekiti states has heightened insecurity in Ora Igbomina and neighbouring settlements.
They noted that communities located along interstate boundaries are increasingly vulnerable, stressing that the situation requires urgent and coordinated security intervention.
Speaking during the visit, Oba Ojarotade acknowledged the efforts of the Osun State Government and security agencies in working towards the release of two residents currently held in captivity.
He, however, called for a shift towards preventive strategies.
“We must move beyond reactive measures. Our rural communities, particularly border towns, require sustained security presence and intelligence-driven operations to prevent recurrence,” he said.
Oba Professor Adekunle Okunoye echoed the concerns, raising the possibility that rescue operations could be undermined by internal compromise.
He alleged that the activities of the joint rescue team comprising the military, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Forest Guards, the Police, local vigilantes and the Department of State Services might be affected by suspected information leaks.
“There is a need for thorough internal scrutiny within the security framework to block any leakages and improve synergy among agencies,” Oba Okunoye stated.
In his remarks, the Asaooni of Ora Igbomina, Oba Adekanmi Abikoye, narrated the experiences of his community, noting that it had suffered two separate attacks within three months owing to its position as a border town.
He urged the authorities to consider establishing a military camp in the area, saying such a move would reinforce security and serve as a deterrent to criminal elements.
Providing details of the incidents, the monarch said Emmanuel Owolabi, a retired Customs officer who was abducted on his farmland on December 2025, regained his freedom after spending about a month in captivity.
However, he disclosed that two commercial farmers, Sunday Adeyeye and Sunday Adewumi, who were kidnapped from their residences on February , 2026, remained in captivity.
The delegation led by Oba Ojarotade included Oba Amuda Ajadi Adio, Oba Samuel Adeniyi Olaniyan, the Edigbon of Èdéwùsì Ila Orangun; Oba Sikiru Olagbaju Akintola, the Oluibeji of Bolorunduri-Ife; and Oba Bamidele Olufemi, the Owa Akinfin of Ikifin.
The traditional rulers also reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate with government authorities and security agencies to strengthen safety measures and restore stability across rural communities in Osun State and neighbouring regions.
Former Taraba Central Senator Abubakar Yusuf has slammed the Senate in the ongoing Electoral Act saga.
In an interview on ‘Politics Today’, a programme on Channels Television monitored by DAILY POST on Thursday, Yusuf said the Senate has not done well at all.
According to him, what the Senate did was taking Nigeria and its people back to 2022.
Recall that the Senate turned down a proposed change to Clause 60, Subsection 3, of the Electoral Amendment Bill that aimed to compel the electronic transmission of election results.
Reacting, the former lawmaker said, “My own view is that the Senate has not done well at all. They are just taking us back to 2022.”
Electronic Transmission: Senate has not done well – Former lawmaker, Abubakar
The Federal Government has issued a ban on using Naira notes for decorative purposes ahead of the 2026 Valentine’s Day celebrations.
The directive specifically targets activities such as making money bouquets, cash towers, and cake designs featuring banknotes.
Authorities say these practices violate Nigeria’s currency laws and will no longer be tolerated. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) described
the trend as an abuse of the national currency, emphasizing that folding, spraying, or shaping banknotes for gifts and events constitutes defacement of legal tender.
“The Naira is a symbol of our nation and must be treated with respect,” the bank stated. “Using money as party decorations diminishes its dignity and public value.”
The government has warned event planners, vendors, and individuals who engage in such displays that they risk arrest and prosecution under existing laws.
Security agencies and regulatory bodies have been directed to monitor parties, weddings, and street celebrations where cash sprays and money-themed designs are common.
Officials encouraged Nigerians to adopt alternative Valentine’s gifts, such as flowers, greeting cards, or packaged items, stressing that love and celebration should never come at the expense of the nation’s currency.
Nigerian govt set bans money bouquet ahead of Valentine’s Day
Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has responded sharply to a statement issued by Paul Ibe, a media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, concerning the Minna meeting between Atiku and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.
In a post on his X handle, Fayose said, “I saw the response of one Paul Ibe, one of the media aides to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, to my release on what transpired at his meeting in Minna with Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, and I can’t but be amused.”
He added, “However, because of my respect for Atiku, I will want to assume that he did not authorise the press statement and I will expect that after seeing it, he will within 48 hours, cause a rebuttal to be issued on it.”
Fayose further warned, “Should Atiku not publicly disown the statement within the next 48 hours, I will have no option but to spill more beans (the facilitators and executioners) of the Minna meeting, particularly what was said about Wike, and by then, I will be doing so without any atom of respect for him.”
He concluded with a cryptic note, “Till then, we keep our gunpowder dry,” suggesting that more revelations may follow if his warning is not heeded.
Meanwhile, DAILY POST reported that the office of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed the recently circulated publication attributed to Fayose as a “reckless and malicious fabrication.”
The article, titled “Between Atiku and Makinde, Untold Story of What Happened in Minna Yesterday,” was described in a statement by Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, as “a shameless concoction a tissue of lies stitched together by a serial purveyor of political gossip.”
Fayose blasts Atiku’s aide, threatens to ‘spill more beans’ over Minna meeting
The Senate has warned that it may refuse to approve the 2026 budget proposal of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation over concerns about poor fund releases to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and the continued non-payment of contractors.
The threat was issued on Thursday during a budget defence session between the Senate Committee on Finance and the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi.
Lawmakers, led by committee chairman Senator Sani Musa, suspended consideration of the proposal, pointing to widespread dissatisfaction with the execution of the 2025 budget and unresolved liabilities dating back to 2024.
“We are not going to take your budget until we are satisfied that your office is ready to do things that will make things work for Nigerians through expected assurances from you,” he said.
Committee members voiced strong displeasure over what they described as weak budget performance, saying it has disrupted government activities and left many contractors unpaid.
Senators noted that more than N2.2 trillion is currently owed to contractors, a figure they described as unacceptable.
Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central) raised concerns about the handling of public finances, especially revenues generated after the removal of fuel subsidy and earnings from government-owned enterprises that reportedly surpassed projections.
According to him, “Where is the money?” as he demanded clarity on the nation’s treasury and the utilisation of increased revenues realised by the Federal Government.
Goje also said the National Assembly has received numerous complaints from contractors requesting intervention over outstanding payments, calling the situation embarrassing for both the legislature and the country.
The committee further revealed that some security agencies have complained about insufficient funding due to delayed releases.
Lawmakers urged an immediate reassessment of the Federal Government’s envelope budgeting framework, arguing that it has fallen short of expectations.
They recommended adopting a performance-based budgeting system to strengthen accountability and improve efficiency.
The Senate reiterated that it would withhold consideration of the Accountant-General’s 2026 budget submission until convincing explanations and firm assurances are given on better budget implementation and prompt disbursement of funds.
Responding to the concerns, Ogunjimi appealed to the committee to revisit its decision to suspend deliberations on the proposal.
He maintained that his office can only release funds that are officially made available to it, stressing that the delays are not entirely within his authority.
He added that technical issues affecting the government’s payment platform had contributed to the setbacks but said the system is currently being expanded and upgraded to enhance its performance and reliability.
2026 budget: Senate threatens to withhold approval over N2.2tn contractors’ debts
The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) mourns the passing of Professor Biodun Jeyifo, reflecting on his significant legacy.
Read More: https://punchng.com/wscij-mourns-biodun-jeyifo-reflects-on-scholars-legacy/
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike assures that the newly constructed FCT bus terminals will commence operations once private operators receive FEC approval.
Read More: https://punchng.com/fct-bus-terminals-to-start-operating-after-fec-approval-wike/
NECA and stakeholders seek urgent labour law reforms, warning that outdated laws and weak enforcement could undermine industrial harmony in Nigeria.
Read More: https://punchng.com/neca-stakeholders-seek-urgent-labour-law-reforms/
