• A fully-funded scholarship opportunity that could enable people to travel to study in the UK for free has been shared online
• The scholarship opportunity exists at the University of Exeter UK, and it is meant for English teachers interested in pursuing masters degrees
• The University of Exeter has released more details on the number of scholars to be accepted into the 2026 A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2026 A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship program.

The scholarship opportunity exists at the University of Exeter, UK, and the school has released details of how to apply.

The AS Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship is now accepting applications. Photo credit: Getty Images/Riska, blackCAT and Tamer Soliman.
Source: Getty Images

According to information posted on the website of the University of Exeter, the scholarship is open to prospective students from Least Developed, Low Income, Lower Middle Income, or Upper Middle Income countries.

The A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship is majorly for English language teachers who wish to study for their masters degree on the subject.

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US embassy in Nigeria announces spring pre-departure orientation for prospective students

The school says:

“The A.S. Hornby Educational Trust prioritises capacity building for English language teaching in low- and middle-income countries. It awards Master’s degree scholarships to teachers and related professionals with relevant experience and evidenced potential to impact and enhance the field of English language teaching and learning in their home country.”

Up to 10 scholarship positions are available for the 2026/2027 academic year and applications are now being accepted.

“Up to ten (10) fully funded scholarships are available to students who meet the University of Exeter’s admission’s criteria for the MEd TESOL Programme for September 2026 entry. Scholarships will be awarded to academically talented and experienced applicants who are nationals of and work in countries as defined as Least Developed, Low Income, Lower Middle Income, or Upper Middle Income.”

Entry requirements for the 2026 A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship

The University of Exeter also released eligibility guidelines for prospective scholars wishing to be considered for the scholarship program.

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It says:

“You must be a resident of, and work in a country, defined as Least Developed, Low Income, Lower Middle Income, or Upper Middle Income countries.You must have a minimum of three years’ full time TESOL teaching or related professional experience after your first degree.You must already hold an undergraduate degree (with grades equivalent to UK upper 2nd class honours or higher).You must not already be a holder of a doctoral degree in TESOL, applied linguistics, English, or related area.You must not already be a holder of a Master’s degree in TESOL, applied linguistics, English, or related area from a UK university.”

How to apply for A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship

Interested candidates are to first apply for the 2026 A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship before applying into the MEd TESOL program.

According to the school, candidates should visit the application portal to fill the form. Deadline for application is February 9, 2026.

Read also

United Nations announces opportunity for Nigerians, others

Nigerians can also apply for the AS Hornby Scholarship in the UK. Photo credit: Getty Images/Riska and Aaron Foster.
Source: Getty Images

Applications open for NLNG scholarship

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has opened applications for its 2025 Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme.

The programme is designed to support exceptional young Nigerians aged 16 to 25 in achieving academic excellence.

Applications must be submitted online by December 12th, 2025, with shortlisted candidates invited to an online proctored test.

Source: Legit.ng

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Former First Lady Aisha Buhari has made fresh disclosures about the health struggles of her late husband, revealing how rumours inside Aso Rock disrupted his care.

Aisha Buhari revelations say former President Muhammadu Buhari began locking his room after claims spread that she was plotting to kill him.

Health crisis traced to broken routine

In Aisha Buhari revelations, she explained that Buhari’s 2017 illness was caused by missed meals and poor nutrition, not poisoning or a mysterious disease.

She said the former president’s 154-day medical leave in 2017 resulted from a disrupted feeding routine after they moved into Aso Villa.

Aisha Buhari revelations are contained in a new 600-page biography titled From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari.

The book, written by Dr Charles Omole, was launched on Monday at the State House.

From Daura to final days

The 22-chapter book traces Buhari’s life from his childhood in Daura, Katsina State, to his death in a London hospital in July 2025.

It states that Aisha Buhari personally supervised her husband’s meals and supplements for years, helping him stay healthy despite long-term malnutrition symptoms.

She stressed discipline in elderly care, saying, “Elderly bodies require gentle, consistent support,” and added, “He doesn’t have a chronic illness. Keep him on schedule.”

Aisha Buhari revelations say the crisis began after the loss of “my nutrition”, a routine she managed before moving to the Presidential Villa.

Rumours and mistrust in Aso Rock

She convened meetings with close aides, including the doctor, CSO, housekeeper and SSS chief, to explain the nutrition plan.

She said, “Daily, cups and bowls with tailored vitamin powders and oils, a touch of protein here, a change to cereals there.”

However, the routine later collapsed due to fear and gossip within the Presidency.

“Then came the gossip and the fearmongering. They said I wanted to kill him,” the book quoted her as saying.

Aisha Buhari revelations claim Buhari believed the rumours briefly and began locking his room.

She said meals were delayed, supplements stopped, and added, “For a year, he did not have lunch. They mismanaged his meals.”

UK treatment and recovery

The decline led to two long medical stays in the UK in 2017, lasting a total of 154 days.

During the period, Buhari transferred power to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

After returning, he admitted he had “never been so ill” and confirmed receiving blood transfusions.

Doctors in London prescribed stronger supplements, but Buhari was initially afraid to take them.

Aisha Buhari revelations say she secretly mixed the supplements into his juice and oats.

She described a quick recovery, saying, “After just three days, he threw away the stick he was walking with.”

“After a week, he was receiving relatives,” she added.

Conspiracies dismissed

The book notes that Buhari’s absence fuelled rumours and conspiracy theories nationwide.

Aisha Buhari revelations firmly dismiss claims of poisoning and say loss of routine caused the illness.

She also rejected the “Jibril of Sudan” body double story as absurd.

She blamed poor government communication for allowing simple issues to grow into major conspiracies.

The book further alleges surveillance in the Presidency, including bugging of offices and replaying private conversations.

Omole wrote that Buhari’s habit of handing power to his deputy showed respect for institutions, even during personal health crises.

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Fresh revelation has emerged on why former President Muhammadu Buhari declined to publicly support a successor ahead of the 2022 presidential election.

The explanation is contained in a newly released book that explores Buhari’s leadership approach, security mindset, and management of power within the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Titled “From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari”, the book was unveiled in Abuja and provides behind-the-scenes accounts of critical decisions taken during Buhari’s presidency.

Authored by Dr Charles Omole, Director General of the Institute for Police and Security Policy Research (IPSPR), the 600-page work compiles reflections from senior officials who closely worked with the former president.

A key revelation came from the former Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, who addressed the long-running debate over Buhari’s refusal to anoint a preferred candidate during the APC presidential primary.

According to Bichi, Buhari intentionally avoided endorsing any aspirant to safeguard lives and maintain internal party cohesion.

He disclosed that intelligence reports at the time indicated that openly backing a candidate could expose such an individual to grave security risks amid an intense and highly competitive political atmosphere.

Bichi noted that Buhari’s silence was often misinterpreted as a lack of interest, but it was actually a deliberate, security-driven strategy aimed at preventing internal crisis and possible disintegration within the ruling party.

He noted that the former president believed that publicly naming a successor would heighten rivalries, increase hostility, and potentially place the endorsed individual in physical danger.

“In those months, knives were out; politically and, as security professionals know too well, sometimes literally,” Bichi stated in the book.

He added that Buhari chose to absorb criticism rather than risk destabilising the party or endangering human life.

The former DSS chief said Buhari felt that allowing the primary process to play out freely helped distribute political risk among aspirants and prevented the concentration of hostility on one individual.

The book presentation which attracted a high-profile audience at the Presidential Villa, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Gambian President Adama Barrow, governors, ministers, diplomats, traditional rulers, and members of Buhari’s family.

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Residents were gripped by fear on Monday night as suspected bandits launched a deadly attack on Jege, a community in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State.

According to local sources, the assailants struck under the cover of darkness, abducting an unconfirmed number of residents.

Details of the incident remain sketchy, and neither security agencies nor the state government have yet to issue any official statement.

Residents described the atmosphere as tense, expressing growing concern over the rising insecurity in parts of the local government area. Community members have called for increased patrols and urgent intervention to prevent further attacks.

Earlier on Monday, it was reported that the elder brother of Mr. Tosin Oluokun, the Chairman of Yagba West Local Government Area, was abducted. The victim was kidnapped while working on his farm within Yagba West LGA.

This latest attack underscores the persistent insecurity in the region, where farmers and other residents continue to face recurring cases of banditry and kidnappings.

Politics Nigeria earlier reported that gunmen stormed the First ECWA Church in Ayetoro Kiri, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, abducting at least 20 worshippers.

Local sources said the assailants opened fire during the service, causing panic and forcing many congregants to flee, while some were seized and taken away through nearby bush paths.

Residents described the church attack as chaotic, noting widespread fear and confusion as the community grappled with yet another violent episode.

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Nigeria’s import bill for food and beverages rose to N5.27 trillion in the first nine months of 2025, according to an analysis of data from foreign trade statistics reports released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

This figure compares with N4.71 trillion recorded in the corresponding period of 2024, translating to an increase of N553.22 billion or 11.74% year on year.

The expansion was driven largely by a sharp rise in primary food imports, while processed food imports grew at a much slower pace.

Quarterly data also shows that import growth strengthened progressively through the year, with the highest values recorded in the third quarter.

Primary food imports power overall increase 

Primary food and beverage imports climbed to N2.54 trillion between January and September 2025, up from N2.11 trillion in the same period of 2024. This represents an increase of N434.53 billion, equivalent to 20.63%, making primary products the main contributor to the overall rise in food imports.

Imports of primary food items mainly for industrial use reached N1.52 trillion in the first nine months of 2025, compared with N1.27 trillion a year earlier. The increase of N244.98 billion reflects a 19.25% year-on-year growth, highlighting stronger demand for raw food inputs by manufacturers and processors.

Primary food imports mainly for household consumption also rose sharply. The value increased from N833.52 billion in the first nine months of 2024 to N1.02 trillion in 2025. This represents an increase of N189.55 billion, or 22.74%, indicating a notable expansion in household demand for imported primary food items over the period.

Quarterly trends show how rapidly primary imports accelerated in 2025. In the first quarter, primary food imports stood at N730.01 billion, only slightly above N726.76 billion recorded in Q1 2024. Growth strengthened significantly in the second quarter, when imports rose to N929.77 billion, compared with N711.23 billion in Q2 2024.

By the third quarter, primary food imports amounted to N881.11 billion, up from N668.38 billion in Q3 2024, reflecting a year-on-year increase of N212.73 billion or 31.83%.

Within Q3 2025, primary items mainly for industry surged to N535.34 billion, compared with N303.63 billion a year earlier. This increase of N231.71 billion represents a 76.30% rise. In contrast, primary imports mainly for household consumption eased slightly to N345.77 billion, down from N364.75 billion in Q3 2024, a decline of 5.21%.

Processed food imports grow slowly, industry takes the lead 

Processed food and beverage imports rose more modestly during the period under review. Nigeria imported processed food products worth N2.73 trillion in the first nine months of 2025, compared with N2.61 trillion in the same period of 2024. The increase of N118.68 billion translates to a 4.55% year-on-year growth.

The increase was driven entirely by industrial demand. Processed food imports mainly for industrial use rose to N1.69 trillion between January and September 2025, up from N1.49 trillion in the corresponding period of 2024. This represents an increase of N199.92 billion, or 13.38%.

By contrast, processed food imports mainly for household consumption declined. The value fell from N1.11 trillion in the first nine months of 2024 to N1.03 trillion in 2025, reflecting a decrease of N81.23 billion or 7.30%.

Quarterly data shows a mixed pattern for processed food imports. In Q1 2025, imports stood at N940.95 billion, up from N865.49 billion in Q1 2024. Imports dipped slightly in Q2 2025 to N801.63 billion, compared with N818.25 billion a year earlier. However, Q3 2025 recorded a rebound, with processed food imports rising to N983.45 billion, up from N923.61 billion in Q3 2024.

The Q3 increase was driven by processed items mainly for industry, which rose from N510.54 billion in Q3 2024 to N638.84 billion in Q3 2025, an increase of N128.30 billion or 25.13%. Meanwhile, processed food imports mainly for household consumption declined from N413.08 billion to N344.61 billion, representing a drop of N68.47 billion or 16.57%.

Overall, the NBS data shows that Nigeria’s food and beverage import growth in 2025 was led by primary food items and industrial demand, while household consumption of imported processed foods weakened over the nine-month period.

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•Says exercise of such powers subject to judicial review to prevent arbitrariness, abuse  

•Strikes out PDP governors’ suit challenging emergency rule in Rivers  

•Verdict an evil wind against democracy, opposition party declares

“Outside a validly declared state of emergency, the president possesses no power whatsoever to interfere with state executive or legislative institutions”

Chuks Okocha and Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Supreme Court, yesterday, stated that Section 305 of the Constitution did not confer power on the president to temporarily dissolve executive and legislative institutions of a state during emergency rule.

Alluding to the deliberate silence of the constitution on the spirit of the section 305, the Supreme Court added that the exercise of such powers remained subject to judicial review to prevent arbitrariness and abuse.

The apex court, which delivered judgement in a suit by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) states against the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, however, struck out the suit.

Tinubu had in March, citing threat to peace in Rivers State, declared a state of emergency, and, subsequently, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, as well as the entire Rivers State House of Assembly members for six months.

Tinubu, in addition, appointed a retired naval chief, Ibok-Ete Ibas, as sole administrator for the state, for the period of the emergency, which lasted six months.

While the emergency was in force, 11 PDP governors had through their states’ Attorneys-General approached the apex court to challenge the powers of the president to suspend elected public office holders, such as the governor of Rivers State and the state lawmakers.

The plaintiffs, in arguing their case, pointed out that they were not denying the president’s power to proclaim a state of emergency, but were challenging “the extent to which the proclamation can be made to affect the offices of the governor, deputy governor, and the State House of Assembly”.

Justice Mohammed Idris, who delivered the lead judgement and went into the merit of the suit, pointed out, “By virtue of sections 4-7 of the constitution, governmental powers divided among the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, and distributed across the Federal, State, and Local Government tiers.

“No arm or tier of government is constitutionally superior to another, and none may lawfully usurp the powers expressly vested in another.”

While stating that Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution was clear in its grant of power to proclaim a state of emergency, Idris remarked that the section was silent on the precise content of the “extraordinary measures” that might follow.

He said, “This silence is intentional. Emergencies are inherently situational, varying in scope, intensity, and threat. The constitution, therefore, entrusts the president with discretion to determine the measures required to restore peace and security, subject always to constitutional limits, proportionality, legislative oversight, and judicial review.”

The majority judgement cited the apex court decisions in the declaration of emergencies in 2004 and 2006 in Plateau and Ekiti states, respectively, and that of 2013 in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states, to show that emergency powers were not governed by a rigid formula.

It added that the constitutionally permissible response depended on the magnitude of the threat, the functionality of state institutions, and the necessity of intervention to restore constitutional order.

Idris added, “Nevertheless, the President’s discretion under Section 305 is not unfettered. Emergency measures must be temporary, corrective, and proportionate. They must be directed towards restoring constitutional governance, not extinguishing it. Any permanent displacement or abrogation of democratically elected institutions would constitute a constitutional aberration.

“Outside a validly declared state of emergency, the president possesses no power whatsoever to interfere with State executive or legislative institutions.

“On the whole, a proclamation of a state of emergency is constitutionally valid where it is issued under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), approved by not less than two-thirds majority of all the members of each House of the National Assembly in accordance with their Standing Orders, and implemented through measures that are temporary, proportionate, and directed at restoring constitutional order.

“The exercise of such powers remains subject to judicial review to prevent arbitrariness or abuse.

“Having clarified these constitutional principles, I reiterate that the instant suit failed to disclose any reasonable cause of action capable of invoking the original jurisdiction of this Court under Section 232 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

“No justiciable dispute between the federation and any or all of the Plaintiffs’ states has been established.”

The apex court, in the split judgement of six-to-one, held that the court lacked the necessary jurisdiction to entertain the suit brought by the 11 PDP states, which were the plaintiffs in the matter.

According to the majority judgement, the plaintiffs could not establish any cause of action that would warrant the apex court to activate its original jurisdiction to hear the matter.

The apex court held that the court lacked the necessary jurisdiction to entertain the suit and subsequently struck it out.

Idris, who delivered the lead judgement, explained that the plaintiffs failed to show that there existed any actionable dispute between the plaintiffs and the federation to require the court to exercise its original jurisdiction.

According to the judgement, the emergency declaration was not declared in any of the states of the plaintiffs to clothe them with the necessary legal powers to initiate the suit, in the first place.

The apex court, in the majority judgement, having established that the plaintiffs lacked the necessary locus standi to challenge the action of the president in addition to the absence of a cause of action, proceeded to strike out the suit and subsequently dismissed it for want of jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, Justice Obande Ogbuinya, in a minority judgement, insisted that the president could not suspend elected public officials under a state of emergency.

According to Ogbuinya, although the president could declare a state of emergency, he could not use such power as a tool to suspend elected state officials, including governors, deputy governors, and members of legislature.

PDP: It’s an Evil Wind Against Democracy

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the Supreme Court judgement as an evil wind against democracy and its principles.

PDP said though it had accepted the judgement, it was counterproductive to democracy and its principles.

The party said the judgement of the Supreme Court consciously promoted authoritarianism and entrenched tyranny.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, PDP said, ‘’While we respect the authority of the apex court and recognise its finality within our jurisdiction, we are, nevertheless, compelled to draw attention to the grave dangers that can emanate from the interpretation of the reasoning in this judgement on the political landscape of our country.

‘’Our concern is anchored on the age-long principle of law that the express mention of one thing excludes others (expressio unius est exclusio alterius), and the clear constitutional position that no person or institution (other than the State House of Assembly or a court of law) is empowered to remove a governor from office, even temporarily, during the subsistence of a constitutional term.

‘’To hold otherwise is to create a pathway by which a President, with the active support of the National Assembly, can compel political alignment or compliance through the instrumentality of emergency powers in ways not envisaged by the constitution.

‘’We submit that the interpretation of this judgement has the potential to reverse the hard-won democratic gains by unwittingly making state governments completely subservient to the Federal Government, forcing them to seek to ‘connect to the centre’ by joining the ruling party, as we are already witnessing.”

The statement added, “‘More troubling is the fact that the logical extension of this reasoning based on the provision of Section 305(3)(c) ‘extraordinary measures to restore peace and security’ could, in the future, be interpreted to justify the suspension of other constitutional institutions, including the judiciary itself.

‘’We cannot reconcile how in a federation (not a unitary state) an elected President can be empowered to dismantle the democratic structures of a federating unit, sack elected officials and appoint leaders there, without consciously promoting authoritarianism and entrenching tyranny.”

PDP said, ‘’As a political party wholly committed to the protection and consolidation of democracy in Nigeria, we hereby call on the National Assembly to urgently initiate constitutional and legislative safeguards that clearly define and limit the scope of emergency powers of the president, to prevent imminent abuse and preserve Nigeria’s federation.

‘’We also urge Nigerians, civil society organisations, the media, and the international democratic community to remain vigilant in the defence of constitutionalism, federalism, and the sanctity of the electoral mandate.

‘’We remain hopeful that, at the next opportunity, the Supreme Court will have cause to extensively clarify the constitutional boundaries of emergency powers, in the overriding interest of justice, democracy, and the long-term stability of our Republic.”

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US President Donald Trump on Monday filed a lawsuit seeking at least $10 billion from the BBC over a documentary that edited his 2021 speech to supporters ahead of the US Capitol riot.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Miami, seeks “damages in an amount not less than $5,000,000,000” for each of two counts against the British broadcaster, for alleged defamation and violation of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.

Trump, 79, had said earlier on Monday that the lawsuit was imminent, claiming the BBC had “put words in my mouth,” even positing that “they used AI or something.”

The documentary at issue aired last year before the 2024 election, on the BBC’s “Panorama” flagship current affairs program.

The video spliced together two separate sections of Trump’s speech on January 6, 2021 in a way that made it appear he explicitly urged supporters to attack the Capitol, where lawmakers were certifying Joe Biden’s 2020 election win.

“The formerly respected and now disgraced BBC defamed President Trump by intentionally, maliciously, and deceptively doctoring his speech in a brazen attempt to interfere in the 2024 Presidential Election,” a spokesperson for Trump’s legal team said in a statement to AFP.

“The BBC has a long pattern of deceiving its audience in coverage of President Trump, all in service of its own leftist political agenda,” the statement added.

The British Broadcasting Corporation, whose audience extends well beyond the United Kingdom, faced a period of turmoil last month after a media report brought renewed attention to the edited clip.

The scandal led the BBC director-general and the organization’s top news executive to resign.

Trump’s lawsuit accuses the edited speech in the documentary of being “fabricated and aired by the Defendants one week before the 2024 Presidential Election in a brazen attempt to interfere in and influence the Election’s outcome to President Trump’s detriment.”

The BBC has denied Trump’s claims of legal defamation, though BBC chairman Samir Shah has sent Trump a letter of apology.

Shah also told a UK parliamentary committee last month that the broadcaster should have acted sooner to acknowledge its mistake after the error was disclosed in a memo, which was leaked to The Daily Telegraph newspaper.

The BBC lawsuit is the latest in a string of legal action Trump has taken against media companies in recent years, several of which have led to multi-million-dollar settlements.

bur-jgc/des

The post Trump sues BBC for $10 billion over documentary speech edit appeared first on Vanguard News.

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Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Niger State Police Command have arraigned eight suspected child traffickers before Minna Chief Magistrate’s Court.
 
Head of the Squad, DSP Ahmed Sa’idu, led the team to arrest the suspects in Nasarawa State for being in possession of stolen children from various parts of Niger.
 
The defendants include Leo Ugochukwu, Ngozi Ugochukwu, Henrietta Obiako and Rosemary Ogbulogo. Others, according to police First Information Report (FIR), were Chiroma Onyaja, Vincent Emmanuel, Joy Ndife and Olusegun Isaiah, all of Nyanya in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Nasarawa.
 
They were charged on eight counts bordering on criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, concealing or keeping kidnapped/abducted persons, dealing in human beings, child stealing, trafficking in persons, indecent treatment of children, wrongful confinement and wrongful confinement in secret.
 
The FIR marked MMC/CMC/74/25 Report (FIR), made available in court, noted that the eight charges were punishable under Section 60 (2),(a) (1), 211, 238 and 239 of the Niger State penal code.
 
The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Aliyu Kuta, told the court that on November 5, 2025, about 3.00pm, Victoria Ebunoha of Loko, Karu Local Council of Nasarawa, was arrested at Dikko Junction in possession of three male children suspected to be stolen.
 
During interrogation, she confessed to have stolen the children from Lambata in Gurara Local Council of Niger State, heading to Nyanya in FCT to sell them.
 
On further interrogation, she disclosed that she stole seven other children from their parents, namely, Mohammed Bala, Danlami Zhami, Bello Usman and others at Lambata and Sabon Wuse.”
 
The stolen children, according to the prosecutor, were sold to Leo Ugochukwu of Loko, at the rate of N1.1 million.
 
“On further interrogation, they all confessed to have intentionally purchased the children from Ebunoha, knowing fully that the children were stolen by her,” he stated.
 
When the charges were read to them by the presiding Chief Magistrate, Murtala Ibrahim, they all pleaded not guilty, while Kuta applied for a new date for further mention of the case.
 
He also prayed the court to remand them in Minna Old Correctional Centre till the next adjourned date. The Chief Magistrate remanded  them and adjourned till January 5, 2026, for further mention.

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Says APC has transformed into biggest party in Africa

There can’t be a better successor than Tinubu – Katsina gov

President Bola Tinubu on Monday paid tribute to his immediate predecessor in office, late Muhammadu Buhari, for leaving enduring legacies as former president.

• Says APC has transformed into biggest party in Africa
• There can’t be a better successor than Tinubu – Katsina gov

The occasion was the presentation of a book, From Soldier to Statesman: Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, authored by Dr Charles Omole.

Addressing the gathering of governors, the President of Gambia, Adama Barrow, traditional rulers and former service chiefs, President Tinubu described the late Buhari as a leader who built enduring pillars and etched his name in the minds of Nigerians.

Tinubu, who recalled the uncertain days of the formation of the All Progressives Congress with himself and Buhari as arrowheads, expressed delight that the erstwhile main opposition party has since transformed into the ruling party and the greatest political platform in Africa.

He said:
“The measure of a leader is not simply the offices he held or the motorcades that accompanied him. It is what persists when the sirens fall silent.

“President Muhammadu Buhari left behind a reputation for integrity, a Spartan lifestyle, and the belief that public office is a trust and not a windfall.

“I stand here not just as president, but as a brother, friend, and political partner who shared a journey with President Buhari through challenging times.

“Together, we built a broad coalition, campaigned across the country, and proved that Nigeria could chart a new course. Our movement united diverse interests and achieved a historic victory in 2015 by unseating an incumbent president, thus reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape.

“The coalition we built in 2014 is now the fastest-growing political party in Africa today. Its growth continues.”

Tinubu enumerated lasting legacies of his predecessor in areas of security, building social infrastructure and entrenching social justice, and restated his commitment to building on them.

“First, humility. President Buhari preferred simplicity over ornamentation. He believed that a leader must first discipline himself before he can discipline a system. He lived modestly, and he carried the dignity of that modesty into power.

“Second, security. President Buhari recognised that security is the foundation of citizenship and prosperity. He invested in platforms and personnel, improved capacities across our armed services, and pushed for reforms that endured beyond the headlines.

“Third, vision. He understood the importance of long-term thinking, constructing bridges, restoring railways, building roads, modernising our airports, and renewing critical infrastructure while prioritising maintenance and sustainability.

“Fourth, social justice. He believed in targeted social investments to ensure that the state did not ignore the poor and vulnerable.

“These are the pillars of his legacy. But a legacy is given greater meaning when those who follow choose to continue what has been started. That is my duty.”

In his welcome address, Katsina State governor, Dikko Umar Radda, who described the book as an informative account for future generations, declared that the partnership between President Tinubu and the late Buhari built the APC into a formidable political party.

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The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the state government of complicity in the spate of kidnappings and banditry in the state.

The opposition party hinged its allegation on a viral video showing the confession of suspected bandits arrested in Edo State.

The suspects allegedly claimed that officials and agents of the Kwara State Government supplied them with arms to carry out attacks in parts of the state.

Addressing journalists in Ilorin, the state capital, the PDP State Chairman, Isa Adamu, said the party was deeply disturbed by the widely circulated video and reports of criminal suspects apprehended by men of the Nigerian Army in Auchi, Edo State.

“In the said video, the criminal suspects categorically alleged that officials of the Kwara State Government supplied them with AK-47 rifles and a government-crested operational vehicle for their criminal activities,” he said.

Adamu added that the allegations placed “an enormous burden of explanation” on Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who, he noted, is both the Chief Executive and constitutionally the Chief Security Officer of the state.

“This video evidence clearly indicates that the Governor of Kwara State and many of his agents, including some local government chairmen, may have information regarding the banditry, terrorism, and deadly attacks that have ravaged communities in Kwara North and Kwara South for some time,” he said.

Describing the allegation as one of “state-sponsored criminality,” the PDP chairman called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to treat the situation as a matter of urgent national concern.

He demanded a comprehensive federal investigation into the confessions of the arrested suspects, particularly their claim that the AbdulRazaq-led government sponsored and supported their criminal activities.

“In the interest of justice, morality, and public safety, it is reasonable to demand the declaration of a state of emergency in Kwara State, including the suspension of the governor, to allow for an independent, transparent, and interference-free investigation,” Adamu said.

He also urged the Office of the National Security Adviser to advise security agencies to suspend official engagements with the governor or his representatives pending the conclusion of investigations.

However, the Kwara State Government had earlier dismissed the allegation, insisting that no state government has the power to arm anyone with AK-47 rifles.

In a statement, the Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, said the suspects did not mention that the Kwara State Government supplied them with any weapons.

“Neither did the individuals state that the Kwara State Government gave them any arms,” she said.

Olukoju explained that the Ifelodun Local Government Authority clarified that the security van mentioned was initially given to vigilantes deployed in the area to strengthen security.

She added that the vigilantes had since left Ifelodun and that the local government had repeatedly complained to relevant authorities that the vehicle was not returned.

“To win the war against banditry and other violent crimes, there must be enhanced inter-agency coordination, intelligence sharing, and cooperation among security agencies,” the statement said.

The government also urged members of the public, particularly online media platforms and bloggers, to avoid misrepresentation or biased reporting, warning that such actions pose a threat to public peace and safety.

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