News
Tinubu Addresses Nigerians Oct 1 As FG Adopts Low-Key Independence Celebration
The Federal Government has inaugurated the Inter-Ministerial Committee for the commemoration of Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, unveiling a programme of activities culminating in a nationwide broadcast by President Bola Tinubu on October 1, 2026.
Head of the Information and Public Relations Department in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation OSGF, Chris Ugwuegbulam, disclosed this in a statement issued Friday in Abuja.
He said the inaugural meeting of the Committee was held on Thursday, and EWS was chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office (PEAO), Mrs Bekearedebo Augusta Warrens.
Akume said the anniversary provides an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the contributions, sacrifices and enduring legacies of the nation’s founding fathers and heroines who worked for Nigeria’s independence from colonial rule, noting that the achievements recorded since independence were built on the foundation laid by the country’s nationalists.
He said the celebration would also allow the administration to showcase its achievements and highlight efforts being undertaken to reposition the country through its reform initiatives, against the backdrop of the socio-economic challenges confronting the nation.
The SGF, however, emphasised that activities for this year’s celebration would be low-key, urging members of the Committee to work with urgency given the limited time before October 1.
According to him, the programme of activities will commence with a World Press Conference on Thursday, September 24, 2026, followed by a Juma’at Service on Friday, September 25; a Church Service on Sunday, September 27; an Independence Day Public Lecture on Wednesday, September 30; and the nationwide broadcast by President Tinubu on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
The Committee comprises the SGF as Chairman, with members including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele; the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Barr Nyesom Wike; the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, CON; the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman; and the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga.
Other members include the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Chief Sunday Dare; the Permanent Secretary, State House, Engr Temitope Peter Fashedemi; the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office (GSO), Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni; the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Ms Kachollom Daju, mni; the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office (CAO), Dr John Chidiebere Ezeamama; the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olatunji Disu; the Director-General, Department of State Services, Mr Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi; the Commander, Guards Brigade, Brig Gen Adebisi Olusegun Onasanya; and the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office (PEAO), Mrs Bekearedebo Augusta Warrens.
According to the SGF, the Terms of Reference of the Inter-Ministerial Committee include planning, organising and executing all approved activities for the October 1, 2026 Independence Day celebration; co-opting any organisation or individual considered relevant to the successful execution of the programme; documenting the planned activities for posterity; and undertaking any other assignment required to ensure the successful implementation of the celebration.
News
Police Arraign 5 Over Attack On Officers In Ogun
Ogun State Police Command has arraigned five suspects before the Ota Magistrate Court over their alleged involvement in the assault and obstruction of police officers carrying out their lawful duties in Ota.
The suspects were brought before the court following an incident around The Bells area of Iyana-Iyesi, Ota, on October 2, 2026, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi B. Babasiyi.
The police said the incident occurred after a patrol team intercepted and arrested a suspect allegedly found with a large quantity of substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
According to the command, the officers were taking the handcuffed suspect to the station when they were allegedly ambushed by a group of people armed with cutlasses, stones and bottles.
The attack reportedly resulted in injuries to some of the officers, damage to the police operational vehicle and the escape of the suspect in custody.
Following the incident, the command said an intelligence-led operation was launched, leading to the arrest of five suspects identified as Morenikeji Badmus, 36; Adedoja Segun, 40; Jeremiah Odise Ugbede Onride, 49; Mike Stephen, 28; and David Odeh, 32.
The suspects were arraigned on charges bordering on conspiracy, serious assault on police officers, obstruction of lawful duty and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
The police said efforts were still ongoing to arrest other suspects who fled the scene of the incident.
The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting police officers carrying out their lawful responsibilities.
“Members of the public are urged to refrain from physical confrontation with law enforcement personnel and channel grievances through established lawful channels,” the statement said.
The command added that “the safety of police officers performing lawful duties remains a priority of the command.”
News
9 Yr-Old Arrested Over Deaths Of 4 Family Members
The Yobe State Police Command has arrested a nine-year-old boy over the alleged killing of four family members in Rugan Badali community, Karasuwa Local Council of the state.
The police said the child allegedly set fire to the family house while his two stepmothers and two younger brothers were asleep, resulting in their deaths.
According to report, the suspect was said to have committed the act after his father flogged him over an allegation that he had stolen a fowl.
Speaking with journalists in Damaturu yesterday, the suspect, whose name was withheld because of his age, allegedly confessed to setting the house ablaze.
He said he bought matches the following day and set fire to the house.
“I carried one of our fowls to sell. People reported me to my father, and I was beaten. The following day, I bought N50 worth of matches in the neighbourhood. While my two stepmothers and two younger brothers were asleep, I set our house on fire as revenge for what my father did to me,” he said.
The boy added: “People came to the rescue. I did not tell them that I was the one who did it until after three days of prayer. I then confessed and was later arrested by policemen and brought here to Damaturu.”
Parading the suspect alongside his father, Abubakar Idi, the police spokesperson, ASP Yusuf Ali, said the boy remained a suspect despite his age.
Ali said the case would be handled in accordance with the law, stressing that the incident underscored the need for greater attention to criminal activities involving children.
He expressed concern over the development, particularly as the state continues to recover from the effects of Boko Haram insurgency and other security challenges.
News
Hisbah Arrests 6 Women In Anti-Prostitution Raid In Yobe
The Yobe State Hisbah Commission has arrested six women suspected of engaging in sex work during an operation in Gadaka, Fika Local Government Area of the state.
The women were arrested in the Abuja area of Gadaka town during a weekend operation conducted by operatives of the commission’s Fika Local Government Area command.
The operation also targeted locations suspected of selling and processing alcoholic drinks, according to the commission.
Head of Administration of the commission in Fika LGA, Malam Musa Abari Talba, who confirmed the arrests, said the operation was part of efforts to check activities considered contrary to the religious and moral values of the community.
Talba said the operatives also embarked on awareness campaigns during the exercise, warning residents against activities they described as harmful to the peace and moral conduct of the society.
He said: “The operation was carried out by our men at the weekend in the Abuja area of Gadaka. Six women suspected of engaging in sex work were arrested.”
According to him, the operatives also visited locations suspected of selling and processing alcoholic drinks, where residents were cautioned against activities prohibited by law.
He added that the commission used the opportunity to preach to residents and encourage them to comply with the law and shun practices considered detrimental to the community.
Talba said the exercise was not limited to arrests, stressing that the commission’s broader objective was to promote peace, discipline and good moral conduct among residents.
He further disclosed that similar operations would continue across the local government as part of efforts to ensure compliance with the law and promote peaceful and orderly communities.
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