The Bayelsa State House of Assembly has confirmed Peter Pereotubo Akpe as the new Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, following his nomination by Governor Douye Diri. The confirmation comes after the death of former Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo in December 2025. Ewhrudjakpo reportedly collapsed while on official duty and was later pronounced dead at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa. The state government had described his passing as a moment of “deep regret and profound shock.” Akpe had served as Chief of Staff at the Bayelsa State Government House in Yenagoa, the capital of the oil-producing state in southern Nigeria. In…
Author: Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
ABUJA, Nigeria — President Bola Tinubu has replaced Kayode Egbetokun with Assistant Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu as the new Inspector-General of Police (IGP), effective immediately. The change signals a strategic effort to strengthen leadership within the Nigeria Police Force. Tunji Disu, who previously led the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), is recognized for his operational experience and work on high-profile security initiatives. His appointment comes amid growing concerns over nationwide insecurity and public skepticism about policing standards. Kayode Egbetokun, who became IGP in 2023, departs after a tenure characterized by debates on police reform and rising security issues across…
ABUJA, NIGERIA – The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reduced its key lending rate, known as the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), by 50 basis points from 27 per cent to 26.5 per cent following the 304th Monetary Policy Committee meeting on Tuesday, 24 February 2026. Governor of the Central Bank, Olayemi Cardoso, said the decision was based on a balanced evaluation of economic risks and the outlook for disinflation. He explained that improvements in food supply and previous monetary policy measures have contributed to a continued slowdown in Nigeria’s inflation rate. “The Committee decided to reduce monetary policy rates by…
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria’s top police officer, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, has resigned following a directive from President Bola Tinubu. The resignation was confirmed by a source at the Presidency on Tuesday, 24 February 2026. Egbetokun reportedly met with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, 23 February 2026, where he was asked to step down. His successor will be Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Tunji Disu, who currently leads the Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Annex in Lagos, Nigeria. Egbetokun became the 22nd indigenous IGP on Monday, 19 June 2023, and the…
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) is urging the public to provide information on child sexual abuse or misconduct in daycare and childcare facilities. The call follows widespread concern after social media posts highlighted alleged incidents in multiple locations. NAPTIP has emphasized that it takes all credible reports seriously and is committed to thorough investigations. Individuals with direct knowledge, evidence, or who have personally experienced abuse are encouraged to report confidentially. Information can be submitted via email at [email protected] or through direct messaging on the agency’s official social media channels. The agency also operates a…
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria’s Federal Government has withdrawn criminal charges filed against Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), in connection with allegations of corruption and forgery over a London property. The withdrawal was announced at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday, 24 February 2026, by Rotimi Oyedepo, Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and SAN. He said the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, instructed the office to discontinue the charges under Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015. The charges had originally been filed…
Abuja, Nigeria – Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Monday, February 23, 2026, stressed the urgent need to establish state police to combat escalating insecurity in the country. The announcement came during an Iftar dinner at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, approximately 20 state governors, and members of the Federal Executive Council. Tinubu told the governors, “What I promised you will not be postponed. We will establish state police to combat insecurity. Start looking around you.” He highlighted the immediate challenges posed by banditry, terrorism, and kidnappings, which are exploiting ungoverned areas across Nigeria.…
ABUJA, Nigeria — The United States Congress has recommended a broad bilateral agreement between Washington and Abuja, Nigeria, to protect Christian communities, counter jihadist terror groups, and address Chinese and Russian influence in the country. Congressional committees, including the House Appropriations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, highlighted that Nigeria has become one of the deadliest countries for Christians, citing attacks by well-armed Fulani militias and other extremist groups that have killed tens of thousands and destroyed churches and schools. The lawmakers praised US President Donald Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for religious…
Two individuals have been identified as key backers of a failed coup attempt targeting Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, according to Defence Headquarters findings. Investigators claim the alleged plotters received ₦835 million (about $1.6 million) from private companies. Former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva, who previously served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under former President Muhammadu Buhari, allegedly contributed ₦785 million (about $1.5 million) via Purple Waves Limited, an Abuja-based construction company. The company secretary, John Ebokpo, is currently detained by security agencies. Mr Sylva remains at large and denies any involvement. Company filings with the Corporate Affairs Commission…
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has filed a ₦1 billion lawsuit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, accusing the agency of unlawfully searching his residence in Abuja. The suit challenges a search warrant issued on February 4 by a Chief Magistrate of the Magistrate Court of the Federal Capital Territory. El-Rufai, through his lawyers led by Oluwole Iyamu, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, asked the court to declare the warrant invalid. He argued that the search warrant was “null and void for lack of particularity, material drafting errors, ambiguity in execution parameters, overbreadth, and absence of…