NEWS

The mother of Dennis Idahosa, the Edo State deputy governor, Madam Esther Idahosa, died on Wednesday at the age of 95. In a statement by Idahosa’s Chief Press Secretary, Friday Aghedo, he described the late Idahosa as a venerable matriarch who lived a long, fulfilled, and impactful life defined by unwavering faith, strength of character, and devotion to her family and the community at large. While expressing gratitude to God for her life, the Idahosas request prayers and understanding as they mourn their matriarch. The statement reads, “It is with total submission to the will of God that the Idahosa and Enabulele families of Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State, announce the peaceful passing of their beloved daughter, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother,...

A member of the Plateau State House of Assembly, representing Barkin Ladi Constituency, Dickson Chollom, has rejected the use of the term “unknown gunmen” in recent attacks, declaring that those behind the killings are now known. Chollom, who also chairs the House Committee on Works and Transport, made the assertion during a sympathy and fact-finding visit to Heipang District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, following a recent attack that claimed three lives and left one person critically injured. He disclosed that one of the suspects had been arrested and had made confessional statements revealing the identities of his accomplices. “We will no longer accept the term ‘unknown gunmen’. One of the perpetrators has been arrested and he has made confessions about those who j...

Lecturers at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) have launched an indefinite strike in protest of unpaid salaries for March 2026. Professor Jurbe Molwus, chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the institution, confirmed the strike in an interview with The PUNCH in Jos, stating: “We are on strike, and we are not going to work until we are paid.” The industrial action officially began on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. In a statement circulated to members and signed by Molwus, ASUU expressed disappointment over the delayed payment, attributing the issue to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, while noting that UNIJOS’ bursary had completed its part of the salary process. The statement read: “Dear comrades, after following due process, we hereby req...

The Plateau State Government has further relaxed the curfew imposed on Jos North Local Government Area following what officials described as a relative return to calm after recent attacks in Angwan Rukuba. According to a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, the adjustment takes effect from April 8, 2026, allowing residents to move freely between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., while the curfew will now run from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Residents were urged to carry out lawful activities within the approved hours and to strictly comply with the curfew restrictions. Governor Caleb Mutfwang has directed security agencies to ensure full enforcement of the new directive to safeguard lives and property and sustain peace in the area. Authoritie...

The Ogun State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit has rescued nine foreign nationals and arrested two suspects linked to a transnational fraud syndicate.  The suspects, Stephen Kwame and Abubakar Sulaimon, were apprehended at their hideout in Owode Egba, where they were holding the victims captive. The state police spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, who confirmed their arrest, said the victims, including a Ghanaian national, were lured to Nigeria with promises of travel to Europe and were being forced to pay ransom. He mentioned that one victim paid ₵31,000 before being rescued. He added that the police will track down all the accomplices and bring them to justice. The Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the operatives’ professionalism and urged the...

Nigeria is positioning itself to benefit from rising global oil prices while managing the associated economic risks, according to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun. Speaking in Abuja at a World Bank presentation on Nigeria’s Development Update, Edun said the Federal Government intends to maximise revenue gains from higher crude oil prices amid ongoing global tensions, particularly the Middle East crisis. He noted that Nigeria, as an oil-producing nation, stands to both gain and lose from rising prices. While increased oil prices boost government revenue, they also raise costs across the economy, especially in energy and food production. Edun explained that higher gas prices are already contributing to inflation by increasing fertiliser co...

A tragic incident has claimed the life of Michael Nnanke Obeten, a Mass Communication graduate of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), after a cannon malfunctioned during a Passion of Christ rehearsal in Cross River State. The incident occurred in Ugep, located in Yakurr Local Government Area, where Obeten—who previously portrayed Jesus Christ in the 2023 and 2024 editions of the play—was reportedly coaching younger actors ahead of the Good Friday performance. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the accident happened at Station 12 of the reenactment, symbolizing the crucifixion. A locally made cannon, known as “oginigbo,” which was intended to simulate a thunderous sound effect, malfunctioned and discharged improperly. Fragments from the device struck Obeten in the head, cau...

The Delta State Government has approved a significant salary increase for doctors, boosting their monthly pay by ₦200,000 and introducing a ₦100,000 tax-free allowance for house officers. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori gave the approval as part of efforts to improve healthcare delivery and attract more professionals to the state’s medical sector. The Commissioner for Health, Joseph Onojaeme, disclosed this during a media briefing in Asaba. He explained that the new pay structure raises entry-level doctors’ salaries from ₦370,000 to ₦570,000, while house officers will now earn over ₦350,000, up from just above ₦250,000. According to him, the additional allowance falls under the government’s MORE Special Allowance initiative. The salary adjustment comes as the state intensifies effo...

President Bola Tinubu has approved the acquisition of an emergency medical helicopter as part of efforts to strengthen rapid response to health emergencies across Nigeria. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed that discussions are already underway with Airbus to establish a nationwide system linking air and ground emergency services. As part of the initiative, the minister recently held talks with Airbus officials and toured a government-backed air ambulance facility in Lyon, France, where he inspected an emergency response helicopter. The proposed service is expected to complement ongoing healthcare reforms aimed at improving emergency medical care nationwide. It will also support the upgrade of the National Emergency Medical Serv...

Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has strongly criticised President Donald Trump over his threat to escalate military action against Iran. In a post shared on X on Tuesday, Harris accused the president of making dangerous remarks, saying he appeared to be threatening actions that could amount to war crimes and the destruction of an entire civilization. She described the situation as deeply troubling, arguing that the conflict stemmed from poor planning and lacked a clear strategy for resolution. According to her, such rhetoric is unacceptable and not supported by the American public. Harris also warned that the president’s approach could endanger U.S. troops, damage America’s global reputation, and worsen economic conditions for citizens. She called on lawmakers and the pub...