The police are to arraign Adeniyi Adeyemi, the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, in the Federal High Court on Tuesday.

The police, in a fresh court document marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, presently charged Adeyemi and two others with eight counts of forgery and impersonation, among others.

The charge was filed on November 27, 2025, by Wisdom Madaki, a police prosecutor.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that on June 16, when the case came up for the suspects to take their plea, Adeyemi was said to be indisposed and Justice Mohammed Umar adjourned the matter.

According to the court documents, the witnesses listed in the case are the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila; Paul Emmanuel; Jeremiah Imoukhede; and Ituah Sylvester. ExecutiveBranch

Other witnesses are civil servants working in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, AGoF, Akimbo Shola and Adamu Balongu,a Deputy Superintendent of Police, who were on the list.

Also listed as witnesses are Ojo Victor, Omeh Amarachukwu, and Wakili Saidu, all of whom were allegedly posted to work with Adeyemi at the non-existent agency.

Others are Joy Ngwoke, the owner of Kachi Hotel in Abuja, and Ven Okoriko, the pastor of St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Maitama.

The documentary evidence expected to be tendered by the police include the police investigation report, Gbajabiamila’s petition dated
October 17, 2025; and Adeyemi’s fake presidential appointment letter dated
March 8, 2024.

These also include the request for a note verbally by Adeyemi sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the approvals he got to open accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, request for approval of self-accounting Adeyemi sent to the AGoF and the conveyance of approval for take-off of the PFIPC.

Other documents listed by the prosecution are a letter of request for collaboration with the ministry in the area of land acquisition and offices across the 36 states of the federation; statements of all the witnesses
and the defendants; and pictures.

The police, in the court document, said: “The prosecution shall at the trial call any other related witness or witnesses to prove its case.”

Adeyemi was alleged to have operated the fictitious agency from the 2nd Floor of the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja, Phase III, before his arrest.

NAN reports that President Bola Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, on Tuesday to conduct a thorough investigation into the activities of the fictitious agency.

The president gave the ICPC 30 days to complete the investigation.

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A United States lawmaker, Congressman Riley Moore, has identified those he claims are responsible for the killing of Christians in Nigeria.

In a post on his official Facebook page on Wednesday, the lawmaker said Fulani militants were the main perpetrators of the alleged genocide.

“Fulani militants are by far the largest perpetrators of violence against Christians in Nigeria,” he said.

Rep Moore also stated that President Donald Trump’s administration had made progress in combating Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in the country.

According to him, more needs to be done to stop the killings in the Middle Belt region.

“The Trump administration has made historic progress against Boko Haram and ISWAP, but we must also stop the killing in the Middle Belt at the hands of the Fulani if we want to ensure our brothers and sisters in Christ are safe to live and worship without being murdered,” he added.

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Vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has called on the Federal Government to conduct a new national Population and Housing Census, stressing that Nigeria has gone two decades without the exercise.

In a statement posted on his official X account on World Population Day (July 11, 2026), Kwankwaso noted that the country still relies on figures from the 2006 census for critical national planning.

He warned that outdated data undermines effective decision-making in areas such as education, healthcare, security, infrastructure, employment, and resource allocation.

“The last exercise, held in 2006, has left us relying on outdated population figures for critical national decisions,” he said, adding that accurate and current statistics are vital for governance, national security, sustainable development, and inclusive growth.

Kwankwaso urged the government to prioritize a credible, transparent, and technology-driven census, declaring: “The time for excuses is over. The time to act is now.”

His demand comes amid growing concerns that Nigeria’s lack of updated demographic data continues to hinder equitable development and long-term planning.

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Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, says all 39 pupils abducted in Oriire LGA have regained their freedom, alongside five of the seven teachers kidnapped with them, but some security personnel lost their lives during the rescue operation.

Speaking on Saturday after visiting the rescued pupils and teachers, who are receiving medical care following their release from captivity, Makinde said that although the victims were relieved to regain their freedom, many were still battling the psychological effects of their ordeal.

On Friday, the Nigerian Army announced that the victims were rescued after a month-long intelligence-led operation involving troops and other security agencies.

The army said multiple arrests disrupted the kidnappers’ network and forced the group to release the victims.

‘WE LOST SOME OFFICERS’

Makinde expressed gratitude to the military and other security agencies for securing the victims’ release.

“I’m very happy the children are back, all of them, 39 of them,” he said.

“Also, five of the seven teachers, so we give glory to God and we say thank you to our troops, the officers and men. We lost some officers and part of our troops as well.

“So all the families that have lost loved ones in this whole process, we want to assure them that their loved ones will not have died in vain. So I’m extremely, extremely happy.

“First, I can say that they were happy to be out of captivity, just like any of us.

“When your freedom is taken away, it’s a different state of mind. But they are glad to be back. Some of them are still very afraid.

“They have to do quite a bit of medical intervention, post-traumatic issues to be addressed. But we have the team ready to do that.”

Makinde said the pupils and teachers would remain under medical observation for another 48 hours before being formally handed over to the Oyo state government.

“With the plan right now, we’ll watch them over the next 48 hours,” he said.

“So by Monday, we think an assessment will be done. And maybe there will be a formal transfer from the military to the state.

“And then we can manage the process from that point forward.”

He said arrangements were being made to enable family members visit the rescued victims.

“But also today, we are putting logistics together to at least bring the family members to come and see them,” he said.

“There’s a small girl in there that basically has been asking, ‘Where’s my mom? Where’s my mom?’

“So at least we want the mom to be able to come and then see her.”

‘NIGERIA’S CHALLENGES REQUIRE UNITY’

Makinde urged Nigerians to unite in confronting the country’s security challenges.

“My final message is that it’s our country,” he said.

“All countries around the world, they do have challenges.

“So when we’re challenged, it’s not usually the best time for us to sow seeds of division.

“It’s the best time for us to come together and confront our challenges.

“So that’s really what, at this moment, I want to say to the people.”

The governor added that he would officially brief Oyo residents and Nigerians later in the week on the circumstances surrounding the
abduction and the rescue operation.

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The UK government has announced sweeping changes to its immigration framework, introducing stricter visa requirements, expanded deportation powers, and new compliance obligations for employers, schools, and sponsors.

The reforms, detailed in Statement of Changes HC 259 laid before Parliament on July 9, 2026, amend 42 sections of the Immigration Rules.

They take effect in two phases: July 30 for EU-related provisions, and August 3 for all other routes. Applications submitted before August 3 will still be processed under the old rules.

Key ChangesDeportation rules: Foreign nationals convicted on or after March 22, 2026, who receive suspended sentences of 12 months or more will face deportation, aligning them with custodial offenders.

Unified overstaying restrictions: A single, standardised text now applies across 30 visa categories, removing previous variations.

Asylum fast-tracking: The Home Office can bypass personal interviews for claims deemed “clearly unfounded,” particularly for EEA and Swiss nationals.

Work and corporate routes: Adjustments to Skilled Worker salary rules, neonatal leave protections in Scale-Up visas, and stricter child care compliance under family visas.

Diplomatic exemptions: Indian nationals with diplomatic passports gain a specific visitor visa exemption.

The reforms also introduce a statutory requirement for the Secretary of State to review immigration regulations every five years, ensuring that burdens on institutions cannot be achieved through less restrictive means.

The UK Home Office says the overhaul is designed to strengthen national security, streamline immigration processes, and close loopholes across work, study, and family migration pathways.

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The dramatic rescue of 39 pupils and seven teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after 56 days in captivity was the result of a month-long intelligence-driven operation led by the Nigerian Army and supported by multiple security agencies.

Residents of Ogbomoso and surrounding communities celebrated as news of the victims’ release spread, with travellers and locals breaking into spontaneous jubilation.

The operation was coordinated by Maj. Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife, General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army.

He supervised the intelligence-led mission that dismantled the kidnappers’ network around Old Oyo National Park, cutting off their logistics routes and camps.

Key Highlights of the Rescue

Maj. Gen. Nnebeife: Assumed command of 2 Division in August 2025 and has since led several successful operations, including rescues in Kwara State.

Multi-agency collaboration: The mission involved personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, DSS, NIA, NSCDC, Amotekun Corps, local hunters and vigilantes.

Elite units: Special Boat Service, Defence HQ Special Operations Forces, Army SOF snipers, Police IRT, and DSS tactical teams played critical roles.

Casualties: The Army confirmed losses among security personnel but withheld details, stressing the operation was carefully planned to avoid harm to the victims.

Victims’ care: The freed pupils and teachers were taken to hospital for treatment before being handed over to the Oyo State Government for reunification with their families.

The Presidency confirmed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested and several neutralised during the operation. Importantly, the rescue was achieved without ransom payments or concessions, despite demands for the release of a detained Boko Haram suspect.

President Bola Tinubu commended the security agencies, noting that the children and teachers were freed unharmed and without ransom.

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At least one person is feared trapped after a two-storey building under construction collapsed on Sultan Road in Kano metropolis around 9 a.m. on Friday.

As of the time of reporting, rescue workers had successfully pulled three people from the rubble, while efforts continued to locate and rescue a fourth victim believed to be trapped beneath the debris.

Eyewitnesses reported that construction workers on the upper floor noticed warning signs of an imminent collapse and quickly fled the site. However, four individuals, including a security guard and a commercial tricycle (Keke Napep) driver were trapped when the structure gave way.

One of the construction workers, Shu’aibu Yaro, confirmed the sequence of events. “The engineer noticed signs that the building was about to collapse, so the workers immediately ran for safety,” he said.

Three of the victims, including the security guard and one of his friends, were rescued and rushed to Sir Muhammadu Sanusi Specialist Hospital in Kano for treatment after sustaining injuries. Rescue officials were still searching for the fourth person.

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Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said nobody is threatening the life of Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC,.presidential
candidate, Peter Obi.

Umahi while inspecting some legacy projects in Ebonyi State, dismissed Obi’s statement that political opponents want him dead.

He attributed Obi’s statement to frustration, saying the former Anambra governor is worried about President Bola Tinubu’s acceptance in the South-East.

The minister said: “Nobody wants Obi dead, it’s not just reasonable. We all want him alive to contest this election and watch himself lose again.

“What he is afraid of is because he said South-East is his catchment area because of the last election which I call accident of history, but we have come with visible development in the zone and our people have now agreed with us that we are better off with President Tinubu to complete the good works he is doing for us than playing Artificial intelligence kind of politics.”

Umahi reiterated his readiness to debate with Peter Obi on the many gains of the Tinubu administration and reason the South-East should be grateful for inclusion in national politics.

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President Bola Tinubu has submitted his All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential nomination form and retained Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.

Ibrahim Masari, the president’s special adviser on political affairs, announced the development on Tinubu’s behalf.

Masari submitted the nomination forms for Tinubu and Shettima during a brief event attended by APC leaders at the Continental Hotel in Abuja.

The submission formally confirms Tinubu’s decision to retain Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 general election.

In June 2022, Tinubu selected Masari as his running mate, in placeholder capacity. The “placeholder” designation was intended to keep the joint ticket in place while Tinubu and the APC decided on the final VP nominee.

The president later named Shettima as his substantive running mate.

Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo and chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, led APC governors to the event.

Also in attendance were members of the APC national working committee (NWC), the party’s caucus in the national assembly, members of the federal executive council (FEC), and other party leaders and stakeholders.

The submission of the nomination forms marks the formal commencement of Tinubu’s bid for a second term on the APC platform, with Shettima again completing the party’s presidential ticket.

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