Category: News

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested a woman who allegedly drugged the mother of a two-month-old baby and escaped with the child. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Olufemi Abaniwonda, made this known during a press briefing held at the command’s headquarters in Asaba on Thursday. He confirmed that the baby had since been rescued and safely returned to his parents. According to Abaniwonda, the incident happened while the baby’s mother and the suspect were on a business journey from Koko to Warri. He explained, “The suspect gave the mother a juice that had been mixed with drugs. After drinking it, the woman fell asleep, and the suspect took off with the child.” “On 7/4/2025 at about 1000 hours, the DPO of Ekpan Police Station received a complaint that a woman (name withheld), aged 20, had embarked on a business trip on 16 February 2025 with one Mrs. Joy from Koko to Warri, Delta,” Abaniwonda said. He stated that while they were on their way, Mrs. Joy drugged the mother of the child with juice. The mother fell asleep, and the suspect made away with her two-month-old baby boy. Abaniwonda said the DPO of Ekpan Police Station, acting on the information received, launched an intelligence-led investigation, trailed, and arrested the 49-year-old suspect. He said, “After discreet interrogation, the suspect confessed that she was indeed the one who stole the baby. “The baby, who is now five months old, has been rescued and handed over to his parents. The suspect is in custody, and investigation is ongoing.”

For over two months, residents and businesses in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States have been plunged into digital darkness as 9mobile’s network services remain completely shut dow in the region. The prolonged outage has disrupted lives and livelihoods, with thousands of subscribers unable to make calls, receive messages, or access essential digital services. At the 9mobile office on Marian Road in Calabar, frustration runs high. The premises, described as nearly non-functional, had no electricity, no operational systems, and just a lone staff member unwilling to speak on the matter. A security guard, however, confirmed the flood of complaints: “Naso e be, people dey come here every day for this problem. Make una de patient, dem go fix am.” For Inyang Eyo, the network failure cost him a job opportunity. “They tried to reach me several times on my 9mobile line, but it wasn’t connecting. I lost the job. This was my main line, and it’s painful.” Grace Ekpo shared a similar experience: “I thought my SIM was blocked. It’s been over a month without service. I can’t make or receive calls. It’s never been this bad.” Ansa Abang, who runs a tech-based business, said the outage crippled his operations. “I use my 9mobile line for receiving Google and Facebook verification codes. I’ve lost clients and credibility. My online business has practically shut down.” The disruption comes amid growing concerns about 9mobile’s shrinking subscriber base. According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the operator lost over 6,000 subscribers to rival networks within three months. In December 2024, 2,188 users ported out of 9mobile, while 3,891 left in November, representing a sharp erosion of consumer confidence. Despite the rising complaints, 9mobile has yet to issue a formal statement addressing the outage or offering a timeline for resolution. With no clear explanation from the company and the NCC silent on enforcement or consumer compensation, users are left stranded and businesses continue to suffer. Consumer rights advocates are now calling on the NCC and the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to investigate the blackout and compel 9mobile to restore service and compensate affected customers. “This is no longer just a network issue,” said one ICT analyst. “It’s a public infrastructure failure, and it’s hurting the economy of an entire region.”

The President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Francis Wale Oke, has called on spiritual leaders across the country to unite in prayer for divine intervention amid Nigeria’s deepening economic and security crises. Speaking in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, at the ongoing PFN retreat commemorating the body’s 40th anniversary, Bishop Oke emphasized that the nation is in urgent need of God’s healing. “Nigeria needs divine intervention and such can only come from God Almighty,” Bishop Oke declared. “As Christian leaders, we are entrusted with the spiritual burden to deliver this nation through prayer and righteousness.” While acknowledging the efforts of the federal government to tackle national challenges, the cleric insisted that only God can provide lasting solutions. He expressed optimism that Nigeria is approaching a turning point, encouraging citizens to remain hopeful. “Nigeria will be better,” he assured. “Let us join hands, seek the face of God, and believe in His promises. He will heal our land.” Speaking on the theme of the retreat, “PFN Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” the bishop explained that the gathering reflects on God’s faithfulness to the country and the Church over the years. He reiterated that PFN is committed to building a better Nigeria through spiritual engagement, moral living, and the propagation of righteousness. “Violent killings, banditry, and kidnappings are the works of darkness. But we are here to shine the light of God. The Bible says when light shines in darkness, darkness cannot overcome it. There is light for Nigeria,” he declared.

Controversial social media figure Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), was re-arraigned on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja on a five-count charge bordering on cyberbullying and defamation against several public figures The Nigeria Police accused the outspoken activist of publishing offensive and defamatory content on his Instagram handle targeting celebrities including Nollywood stars Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh, and music producer Samuel Oguachuba (a.k.a. Samklef). The charges also include alleged derogatory comments aimed at senior police officers and lawmakers. VDM pleaded not guilty to all charges before Justice Musa Liman, who now presides over the case following the transfer of Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon to another division. Otse had previously been arraigned on the same charges in May 2024 and was granted ₦10 million bail with stringent conditions. According to court documents (Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/140/2024), VDM is alleged to have: VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, requested that the previously granted bail terms be retained. The prosecution did not object, and Justice Liman upheld the earlier bail conditions. The case was adjourned to July 24, 2025, for trial. The charges fall under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, which criminalizes online harassment and the spread of harmful content.

ABUJA — The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for implementing bold economic reforms that have made Nigeria more appealing to investors. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Montgomery described the policies as transformative and praised the administration’s efforts. He highlighted the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of the exchange rate as major achievements, noting that these reforms are already improving Nigeria’s investment climate. “These economic reforms are paying off, and they are now making Nigeria more investible,” he stated. While applauding the reforms, Montgomery acknowledged the current economic hardship faced by many Nigerians due to rising inflation, which he said remains in the mid-20 percent range. He admitted the reforms are painful in the short term but necessary for long-term stability. Despite the economic strain, the High Commissioner expressed optimism, projecting that inflation would ease in the coming months and years, further reinforcing Nigeria’s status as a promising destination for foreign investment.