NEWS
Niger Police Command Rescues Kidnapped Victim, Recovers Stolen Livestock

The Police Command in Niger State says it has rescued a kidnapped victim and recovered 11 cows and 34 sheep from suspected cattle rustlers in Minna.
This is contained in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP W. Abiodun, on Friday in Minna.
He stated that the kidnapped victim, Cornelius Damulak, 36, a student of Veritas University Abuja, was rescued by a police patrol team attached to Chanchaga division on Feb.
14, 2025, at about 12 p. m.According to him, Damulak was abducted from his residence in Bwari, Abuja on Feb. 6, 2025, at about 5 a.m by suspected kidnappers.
He said that Damulak escaped from his abductors and was found roaming around Pogo-Paiko highway, Minna.
“Meanwhile, the victim was taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention, while efforts to locate his relatives are ongoing.”
Abiodun also said that police operatives attached to Maitumbi division intercepted a vehicle loaded with suspected stolen cattle from Sarkin-pawa on Feb. 11.
According to him, the team arrested five suspects and recovered 11 cows and 34 sheep.
He said the suspects are under investigation and efforts to locate the rightful owner of the animals are ongoing. (NAN)
NEWS
Mutfwang Commits to Expanding State Healthcare

From Jude Dangwam, Jos
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang has disclosed that under his administration, the Plateau State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (PLASCHEMA) has recorded groundbreaking progress in health insurance coverage grown 93,605 enrollees in May 2023, to enrolment skyrocketed to 208,550 by March 31, 2025 having a 123% increase.
He reiterated his commitment in expanding the state healthcare contributory scheme to include more vulnerable citizens of the state. Mutfwang made this known on Monday during a Media perley with the entire media community.According to him, “Under the Time is now administration, PLASCHEMA has recorded groundbreaking progress in health insurance coverage, ICT transformation, and access to care.”From 93,605 enrollees in May 2023, enrolment skyrocketed to 208,550 by March 31, 2025 a 123% increase. This expansion includes enrollees from the formal sector, the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), and newly introduced equity programs such as Mutfwang Care for retired civil servants.”He noted that a major overhaul of the Agency’s ICT infrastructure has enhanced transparency, real-time monitoring, and user experience.”The system now supports direct premium payments via Paystack, Mobile and offline enrolments, Real-time dashboards, and Automatic ID card generation for enrollees and dependents. The reforms have strengthened data integrity, enhanced transparency, and decentralized access through new zonal offices in Barkin Ladi, Pankshin, and Shendam,” he stated.The Governor disclosed that the “Mutfwang Care Initiative” has already covered over 9,000 vulnerable citizens, with Governor Mutfwang personally flagging off enrolment.”PLASCHEMA also plans to deploy a full Electronic Medical Records system in Q2 2025, integrated with the National Identity Number (NIN), to revolutionize verification, utilization tracking, and accountability across healthcare tiers,” Mutfwang statedThe Governor further disclosed that the Impact Project: Transforming Maternal and Child Health launched in 2021 towards improving Child and Maternal Health Project (IMPACT) in Plateau State is making tangible strides toward reducing under-five and maternal mortality has made significant progress.”The state is on course to reduce under-five mortality from 132 to 79 per 1,000 live births by 2030 Achievements (2023–2024). Increased antenatal and postnatal attendance, Rise in skilled birth attendant (SBA) deliveries, Improved uptake of IPT3 (malaria prevention during pregnancy).”More children under one year fully immunized, with a notable decline in infant and maternal deaths. Key investments consist of the deployment of 207 motorbikes to boost outreach and referrals.”Installation of solar power systems in all the 207 Basic Health Care Provision Fund Facilities (BHCPF) in 207 Federal wards across the state. Renovation and tiling of delivery rooms for safer childbirth.”Distribution of 207 laptops for digital health reporting. Digitization of all BHCPF facilities for real-time monitoring.Contracts awarded to upgrade 82 PHCs to meet national standards,” Mutfwang noted.NEWS
Commissioner Urges Citizens to Protect Govt Property against Vandalism
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Kogi State’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo has urged citizens to protect government property against vandalism.Fanwo stressed the need for citizens to see government property as their own since they were provided to serve their needsHe gave the warning when he led the management team of the Ministry on an on the spot visit to Radio Nigeria Prime FM Lokoja, where hoodlums carted away valuable broadcast equipment at the Radio Station.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ebenezer Adurodija, described the act as barbaric and disheartening, “The incessant vandalism of Broadcasting Stations is disheartening and must be addressed properly,” he stated.He also urged the management at the headquarters to take necessary steps to ensure that the vandalised equipment are replaced as soon as possible.Fanwo called on the federal government and other stakeholders to intensify the security of the Broadcasting Station for the safety of the staff and the property.The Commissioner reiterated Kogi State Government’s efforts in ensuring the security of the broadcast stations, whether federal, state, or private, as they are soft targets for hoodlums and disgruntled elements.”We will do everything possible to ensure the safety of all the broadcasting stations in the state, government or non-government to avert future occurrence”Communities have a big role in protecting government property within their domains. We seek the cooperation of our community leaders to also assist the government in this regard,” he emphasized.In his remarks, the General Manager of the station, Alhaji Adeiza Momohjimoh, appreciated Kingsley Fanwo and the management team of the Ministry of Information and Communications for identifying with them at their grieving moment, describing the action of the hoodlums as unfortunateAlhaji Momohjimoh highlighted that the criminals came prepared as most of the equipment carted away could not be removed with bare hands without tools, noting that they have communicated the incident to the zonal headquarters in Lafia.The General Manager appealed to the state government and security agencies to help media houses with personnel to secure lives and property.He also appealed to the state government for financial assistance to enhance the smooth running of the station as the state is for Kogi State, while 95% of the staff are from the state.Alhaji Adeiza Momohjimoh urged the community to give necessary support to safeguard the radio station.NEWS
Bayelsa Nullifies Suspension of Ikebiri Traditional Ruler, Sets up Panel of Inquiry

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Government has declared the purported suspension of the paramount ruler of Ikebiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, His Royal Highness Francis Timi Odudu, earlier announced by some concerned members of the community as illegal, null and void.
The Deputy Governor, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made the declaration on Monday at a meeting with some stakeholders and the two feuding parties in the community in Government House, Yenagoa. He clarified that the Bayelsa State Chieftaincy Law does not empower any individual or group of people to suspend or dethrone any government recognised traditional ruler.According to him, only the Governor possesses the legitimate authority to remove a traditional ruler following the fulfillment of the requirements as prescribed in the state Chieftaincy Law.While assuring the two parties that the government would dispassionately look into the issues responsible for the leadership tussle in Ikebiri, he appealed to both parties to sink their differences in the collective interest of their community.Meanwhile, the state government has set up a 12-member Panel to investigate the allegations levelled against the Amananawei of Ikebiri Community, His Royal Highness Francis Timi Odudu by a group known as Concerned Citizens of Ikebiri.Constituting the panel during the meeting, the Deputy Governor charged its Chairman and members to be thorough, objective and fair to all the parties involved in the dispute to enable the government make an informed final decision that will bring about lasting peace and stability in Ikebiri Community.The Panel was mandated to ascertain why the Ikebiri Community constitution has not been amended, find out how the 30 percent royalty is being shared and issues causing frequent clashes in the community, among other terms of reference.The Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Irorodamie Komonibo, is the Chairman of the Panel while the Chairman, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty, King Bubaraye Dakolo, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Thompson Amule are members.Other members include the Commissioner for Community Development, Chief Watson Belemote, his Information counterpart, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Hon Target Segibo and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs, High Chief Bertola Perekeme.Membership of the panel also includes the Coordinator, Bayelsa State Community Safety Corps, Brig Gen. Eric Angaye, the Chairman, Apoi/Olodiama Rural Development Authority, Lear Amara Kontei, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Richard Perekeme and the Chairman of Bomo Kingdom Council of Chiefs, His Royal Highness Darius David.The Panel of Inquiry which has Ebimiebosegha Wilson as Secretary was given one month to complete its assignment.