NEWS
Kogi Poly Security Team Apprehend Suspected Cultists, Drug Peddlers
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The joint security team of Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja, on Tuesday, 16th July, 2024, arrested three (3) students of the institution and five (5) others suspected to be members of secret society and hard drug peddlers during the ongoing second semester examination for 2023/2024 academic session.
According to a statement from the institution signed by its Public Relations Officer, Uredo Omale, the apprehended students who are all of HND II in the Department of Business Administration include:
Ajayi Oluwaseun Oladipo (Matric No.
2022/HND/BUS/275), Isenre Elijah Ayomide (Matric No.2022/HND/BUS/146) and Omonijo Sunday (Matric. No2022/HND/BUS/181).The arrested five (5) non-students who are all from Ekiti State but based in Abuja are: Otitoju Christopher, Babatope Ayomide, Isaiah Babatunde, Shina Ayodeji and Makinde Olalekan.
The arrest of the suspects was as a result of proactive measures put in place by the Management of the institution to checkmate infiltration of cultists and other outlawed groups and individuals who were reported to be planning to enter the campus with guns and other dangerous weapons in connivance with some cyber-crime suspects popularly known as yahoo yahoo.
Their intent, it was gathered, was to cause harm to their targets and commotion on the campus during the ongoing second semester examination.
This was in the guise of their end-of- examination graduation “celebration” rituals which the Management had earlier banned due to security concerns.
In the build-up to the ongoing second semester examination, the Polytechnic Management got intelligence reports that some bad elements suspected to be into cyber crime, cultism and illicit drugs had perfected plans to import their members from other states and institutions to cause mayhem on the campus.
To prevent the occurrence, Management decided to intensify further security strategies by banning all forms of the end-of-the second semester examination on the campus in whatever guise.
This decision was duly communicated to the students through a circular issued by the Chief Security Officer, containing the outlawed activities during and after the examination.
The circular was issued after a series of meetings with the Students Union Government (SUG), National Association of Kogi State Students (NAKOSS) and the Departmental Presidents to sensitise and caution the students to desist from any form of inimical behaviour during the examination for their own good.
The Polytechnic Management also took further steps with meetings and setting up of the Examination Security Management Committee with all Deans, Chief Security Officer (CSO), Students Representatives, the Chief Imam and the Polytechnic Chaplain as members, and mandated to devise security strategies against the planned infiltration by bad elements and ensure orderly conduct of examination.
In addition, the services of the security agencies such as the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), and the Vigilante Group were sought and their personnel were deployed.
One important additional proactive security strategy adopted by the Committee was to prevent students from using their cars and motorcycles beyond the designated car park on the campus during the examination.
Furthermore, all vehicles were thoroughly searched and more plain clothes security operatives were deployed to monitor movement of those that have no business on the campus during the examination.
These security strategies and efforts paid off with the arrest of the three (3) students and their five (5) imported non – students mercenaries.
The Polytechnic Management started observing a dangerous sign on Monday 15th July, 2024 when the Department of Public Administration HND II students wrote their last paper.
The Management got an intelligence report of the infiltration of some notorious old students of 2018/2019 sets who are suspected to be cultists alongside some imported mercenaries from Edo and Delta states that came that day to cause mayhem using the style of motorcade, spraying of naira notes while sitting on their vehicles on the highway.
In the process, there were gunshots from the direction of “Always Petrol station” adjacent to the Polytechnic main gate where the imported mercenaries were allegedly camped since the campus was not comfortable for them because of the security measures put in place.
To prevent a repeat of the Monday incident, more security strategies were deployed ahead of Tuesday 16th July, 2024, when the HND II students from the Department of Accountancy, Library and Information Sciences as well as the Business Administration were scheduled to write their final papers.
It was the security arrangement and tip-off that led to the arrest of the three (3) students and their hired mercenaries who claimed to hail from Ekiti State, but based in Abuja.
The suspects were intercepted at the main entrance of the Polytechnic gate while on their motorcade. The driver of the second car, however, jumped out of the vehicle and escaped.
Some suspected hard drugs wrapped in a polythene bag, papers cut to sizes supposedly for wrapping of drugs and one beret cap with a symbol suspected to be that of a cult group were seen in the car and in possession of the occupants of the two (2) intercepted cars.
In all, the items recovered from the apprehended suspects include two cars (2); a light green coloured Mercedes Benz Saloon with Reg. Number: EKITI STATE “MUE – 598 – AE” and a black coloured Toyota Lexus Saloon with Reg. Number from: EBONYI STATE “SKA – 78 – AE”,different types of drugs, remnant of some naira notes amounting to N14000 naira, beret cap with a symbol suspected to be that of a cult and an MP3 player were handed over to the Nigeria Police at the ‘B’ Division in Lokoja.
The Rector commended the efforts of the Examination Security Management Committee, the Joint Security team and the Intelligence Team for a job well-done through teamwork for nipping the dangerous intent in the bud.
The Rector also used the opportunity to admonish the ND II students to be vigilant of any bad elements that may infiltrate into their group and report the same to the Management through the Security Unit.
The Rector further advised parents and guardians to caution their children and wards by paying close attention to their behaviors and material acquisition without known sources of income, the type of companies they keep as well as their movement against involvement in criminal activities as those who are caught within the spheres of the Polytechnic with untoward characters would not be spared.
He also warned non-students who are interested in coming to the campus for cult and other related social vices to keep off or face the full wrath of the law.
NEWS
Plateau PDP Cautions Members Against Obtaining Nomination Forms From Pro-Wike Faction
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
As Nigerians await the verdict of the Supreme Court on the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Plateau State chapter of the party has caution it’s members against obtaining primary election nomination from the faction loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
In an advisory obtained by the Daily Asset Newspaper, the Plateau PDP declared that loyalists of the FCT Minister parading as leaders of the party have already been expelled and their expulsion validated by the High Court and Court of Appeal.
In the advisory issued by Dr Choji Felix Dalyop, State Publicity Secretary, the chapter maintained that any nomination forms issued or signed by Senator Anyanwu or under the authority of Abdulrahman Mohammed lack legal standing.
Part of the statement reads: “Our great party under the strategic leadership of Miskoom Raymond Dabo, hereby issues a formal advisory grounded in extant judicial pronouncements regarding the purported sale of nomination forms for the 2027, general elections led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, with Senator Samuel Anyanwu acting as National Secretary.
“Pursuant to binding judicial determinations, this advisory is issued, including:- The judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered on 9th March, 2026, and the judgment of the FCT High Court delivered on 12th January, 2026, both of which affirm the suspension and subsequent expulsion of Senator Samuel Anyanwu from the Peoples Democratic Party.
“From a legal standpoint, these rulings have two critical implications: Loss of Capacity: Senator Anyanwu, having been validly expelled, lacks the legal competence to act in any official capacity on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party.
“Derivative Invalidity: All actions predicated on his authority, including the recognition of Abdulrahman Mohammed as Acting National Chairman, and the constitution of a parallel National Working Committee, are legally defective.
“Consequently, the Abuja Convention of 29th March, 2026, convened under this disputed authority, is rendered void ab initio, as it derives from an invalid institutional foundation.
“Furthermore, the issuance of a Form 48 notice by the FCT High Court underscores ongoing judicial scrutiny, and reinforces the binding nature of earlier rulings, particularly regarding compliance by affected parties.
“The principle of law remains unequivocal: No valid structure can emerge from an invalid origin.
“Therefore, any nomination forms issued or signed by Senator Anyanwu or under the authority of Abdulrahman Mohammed lack legal standing.
“Implications for Aspirants: Non recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC);
“Exposure to pre election litigation leading to disqualification;
“Post election nullification risks analogous to established judicial precedents.
“The PDP Plateau State, chapter strongly advises all aspirants, and stakeholders to exercise due diligence, and avoid engagement with any processes that are unstable with the vision, and mission of the founding fathers of our great party, which to a great extent are fundamentally inconsistent with the law.”
End
NEWS
Soludo’s 16.4km Road Project Ends Years of Suffering, Opens Up Anambra Communities
By Laide Akinboade Abuja
Vice President of Boardwalk Group and Abuja-based real estate developer Chief Obiageli Okwubanego, on Wednesday, commended the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, for completing the 16.4-kilometre Nawfija–Ajali–Ufuma–Ogbunka Road in Orumba South Local Government Area.
Sh gave the commendation while speaking with journalists in Abuja.
She said residents in that area testified that the project has transformed transportation, agriculture and economic activities across the axis.
Okwubanego described the road project as a major infrastructure breakthrough that has drastically reduced travel time and eased movement for motorists and residents within the affected communities.
She recalled that the appeal for the road was first made in 2019 when Soludo attended the funeral mass of her mother, Chief Mrs. Agnes Igwenagu Okeke.
According to her, the deplorable state of the road at the time made movement extremely difficult for mourners and guests attending the burial ceremony.
“When Professor Soludo later declared interest in contesting for governor, I went back to my people and urged them to support him with the assurance that the road would be done. I also appealed to him to extend the road project to Ogbunka, my mother’s hometown,” she said.
She noted that the newly completed road has reduced travel time by about two hours and now serves as an alternative route to the traffic-prone Umunze Roundabout.
Travellers heading towards Umuaku in Abia State, as well as Okigwe and Ndi-Iziogu areas of Imo State, now use the route to avoid traffic congestion.
“For Christmas, Easter, August meetings, marriages and other celebrations, people can now travel home with ease and in large numbers,” she stated.
Okwubanego described the project as part of Soludo’s broader infrastructure and economic transformation agenda across Anambra State.
According to her, the road has enhanced the movement of goods and services within the communities and improved economic activities in the area.
“Governor Soludo’s solution agenda has positively impacted our communities and brought remarkable transformation to the entire Orumba South Local Government Area,” she said.
She further noted that residents of Nawfija community had never experienced a tarred road before the intervention of the Soludo administration.
“Since I started visiting Nawfija community years ago, the residents had never enjoyed a tarred road. Soludo, through compassionate and selfless leadership, has now provided the people with their first properly constructed road,” she added.
Highlighting the economic importance of the project, Okwubanego said the road has significantly boosted agricultural activities in the area, especially palm oil production.
She explained that the adjoining communities are predominantly farming settlements responsible for a substantial share of palm oil production in Orumba South Local Government Area.
“The famous Onuoigbo palm plantation, which spans over 20 hectares, is located along this road corridor in Nawfija, and the improved road network will greatly support the movement of farm produce,” she explained.
On tourism potential, she said the road would also increase access to the popular Ozi Stream, known for fishing and irrigation activities, thereby attracting more visitors and commercial activities.
“With easier access to the famous Ozi Stream, human and business activities in the area will rise significantly,” she noted.
Okwubanego also reaffirmed her emotional attachment to Nawfija community, saying her passion for the people inspired her continuous commitment to their welfare and development.
“My dear Nawfija community means so much to me, which is why I personally pleaded with His Excellency to give us this road. My passion for the community will always push me to look out for their welfare,” she said.
NEWS
Ekiti Church Attack: CAN Demands Action Over Killing, Abduction of Worshippers
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Wednesday, condemned
the attack on a church gathering in Eda Oniyo Ekiti, where gunmen reportedly killed a Pastor and abducted several worshippers during an open-air crusade.
This was stated in a statement issued by
President, CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in Abuja.
The Christian body demanded for immediate arrest and prosecution of the culprits and rescue of those kidnapped.
He described this latest attack as a brutal assault on shared humanity and the sanctity of life.
And it is deeply disturbing and unacceptable.
He mourned with the family of the slain Pastor and stand in full solidarity with the victims and the entire Christian community in Ekiti State
The statement reads, “We condemn this heinous act in the strongest possible terms.
People had gathered peacefully to worship God, and they were met with violence. This is not just an attack on a church; it is a brutal assault on our shared humanity and the sanctity of life.“We mourn with the family of the slain Pastor and stand in full solidarity with the victims and the entire Christian community in Ekiti State. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been taken, and we call for their immediate and safe release.
“This latest tragedy comes amid a disturbing pattern of attacks. Only recently, gunmen struck communities in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, abducting residents including clergy, their families, and other community members. These repeated incidents underscore a deepening security crisis that can no longer be ignored.
“This attack further heightens concerns about the safety of lives and the protection of communities. No one should have to live in fear, and no place of worship must ever become a hunting ground for criminals.
“We must be unequivocal: the protection of lives and property is the primary responsibility of government. We call on the authorities and security agencies to act swiftly, decisively, and transparently. Those responsible for this atrocity must be apprehended and brought to justice without delay. Every necessary effort must be made to rescue those abducted unharmed.
“We also urge the government to immediately strengthen security presence, especially in vulnerable and rural communities, and to deploy proactive intelligence measures to prevent further attacks”.
He noted, “At the same time, we must all speak out firmly. The killing of a Pastor and the abduction of worshippers gathered to commune with their Creator is deeply troubling. It reflects a grave disregard for life, for faith, and for the moral fabric of our society.
“We have a duty to communicate these concerns clearly, firmly, and without equivocation to the appropriate authorities. Nigeria must not normalise the killing of worshippers or the abduction of innocent citizens in places of refuge.
“May God comfort the bereaved, protect those in captivity, and restore peace and security to our land”.

