President Bola Tinubu on Saturday congratulated a former Vice President and elder statesman, Namadi Sambo, on his 71st birthday.
Sambo, who was born on August 2nd, 1954 served as the Vice President of Nigeria from May 19, 2010 to 29 May 29, 2015.
He was the Governor of Kaduna State from 2007 to 2010.
Tinubu, in a press statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, titled, “President Tinubu felicitates former Vice President Sambo on his birthday,” described Sambo as a renowned architect.
According to Tinubu, Sambo is a man of integrity and loyalty who is deeply committed to Nigeria’s unity and stability.
“As a prominent leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, Sambo worked closely with President Jonathan, serving with dedication and maintaining a relationship of mutual respect in and out of office.
“President Tinubu appreciates Sambo’s continued leadership and statesmanship in Nigeria and the West African subregion, including his support for Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani in advancing religious tolerance, peace, and stability statewide.
“Sambo led the ECOWAS Observation Mission to Ghana’s December 2024 Presidential Elections. Before this, he headed a similar mission in the Republic of Niger in December 2020 and the run-off poll in that country in February 2021,” the statement noted.
The President also wished Sambo many more years in good health and continued service to the nation.
The Imo State Police Command has dismantled a cult gang that specialised in phone theft, burglary, and altering the tracking device of phones in Eziobodo, in the Owerri West Local Government Area.
This is even as the Command has arrested several people linked to various phone robberies within the Owerri federal constituency.
Police spokesperson for Imo State command, DSP Henry Okoye, made the disclosure on Saturday morning.
Okoye disclosed that following a complaint by a phone dealer whose shop was burgled on July 11th, 2025, within Eziobodo, operatives of the Anti-Vice commenced an investigation that led to the arrest of a suspect with four brand new but stolen phones.
Intense investigation led the Police to the principal burglar behind the robbery and another accomplice who specialised in altering phone IMEI, which blocks the tracking of such phones.
Okoye said, “Following a complaint by a phone dealer whose shop in Eziobodo was burgled on 11th July 2025, operatives of the Anti-Vice Unit arrested a suspect in possession of four brand-new stolen phones. Investigations led to the arrest of the principal burglar and another accomplice who specialised in altering phone IMEI numbers to evade tracking”.
He disclosed that all the suspects arrested are currently in custody, while efforts have been intensified to apprehend other members of the syndicate.
Okoye said in another development, operatives of the Orji Police Station on July 31st, 2025, at about 9pm (2100hrs) arrested one Ernest Nweke ‘m’ at Bishop’s Court roundabout, in the Owerri North LGA, following a distress call from concerned citizens.
The suspect, who is a native of Umuoji in the Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State but resident in the World Bank area of Owerri, was arrested with a locally fabricated pistol after he and three others allegedly robbed one Emmanuel FearGod ‘m’ of Fountain of Knowledge Hostel.
Okoye said, “Nweke, who confessed to being a member of the Vikings cult group, was identified by the victim and arrested while the others fled. Based on his confession, four other suspects: Chamberlain Prince, Akujuobi Godwin, Ugwuelu Joseph, and Frederick Chigozie were arrested the next morning and also confessed to the crime. All suspects are currently undergoing investigation and will be duly prosecuted in court”.
Meanwhile, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, has commended the officers for their swift action and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to fight crime.
The Police boss urged residents to report suspicious activities to the nearest Police Station or through 0803 477 3600.
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a suspected kidnapper, John Chinagorom, who is said to have been on the Command’s wanted list.
A statement released on Saturday by the Anambra State Police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspect was arrested in Zaria, Kaduna State, with the assistance of the Kaduna State Police Command.
Ikenga said his arrest followed a credible intelligence received by operatives of the Ozubulu Police Division on August 1, that the suspect, who is linked to a kidnapping case in Anambra, was sighted at PZ Park Road, Zaria, Kaduna State.
The statement read in part, “The Anambra State Police Command wishes to inform the public that its officers, with the assistance of the Kaduna State Police Command, have arrested John Chinagorom ‘M’, a suspected kidnapper, who has been on the Command’s wanted list.
“This follows a credible intelligence received by operatives of the Ozubulu Police Division at noon of 1st August 2025, that the suspect, John Chinagorom, who is linked to a kidnapping Case reported on 15th April 2025, was sighted at PZ Park Road, Zaria, Kaduna State.
“Acting swiftly on the information, a team of Police detectives from the Division was dispatched, and they successfully apprehended the suspect at his hideout in Zaria, with the assistance of officers of the Kaduna State Police Command.
“The suspect is currently in custody and is assisting the Police in the ongoing investigation.”
He urged the general public to remain calm, assuring them that the security situation in the state is under control as joint security patrols and other crime prevention operations are ongoing.
“Meanwhile, the general security situation across other parts of the State remains calm, as counter-terrorism and other crime prevention operations continue.
“Further developments will be communicated in due course,” he added.
The National Health Insurance Authority, Roche Pharmaceuticals and the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, have launched a cost-sharing initiative to help cancer patients reduce financial barriers to accessing oncology care.
The partnership is also to enhance cancer care accessibility, improve treatment outcomes, and shield Nigerians from the high costs associated with cancer treatment.
Speaking on Friday in Abuja, during a presentation on the initiative, the NHIA Department of Standards and Quality Assurance Ms Linda Makwe, said the programme was designed to improve access to high-cost oncology medications, especially for vulnerable Nigerians.
She said the partnership showcases NHIA’s role in strategic healthcare purchasing, adding that one of the key objectives was to enhance access to essential, life-saving cancer treatments while ensuring financial sustainability.
“The programme ensures that patients have access to critical oncology drugs at a subsidised rate, with the financial burden shared between Roche, NHIA and the patient,” she said.
She explained that with the agreement, Roche covers 50 per cent of the cost of monoclonal medicines and provides logistical support to ensure drug availability, while NHIA manages patient access and coordinates financing mechanisms.
She noted that the programme also aims to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for patients and aligns with Nigeria’s goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage.
Also speaking, the Team Lead for Oncology at Roche, Mr Funsho David, said the collaboration was committed to delivering innovative and affordable cancer care for Nigerians.
He said the cost-sharing model splits financial obligations among Roche, NHIA and the patient, allowing patients to afford both prescribed medicines and other associated treatment services.
“This approach not only guarantees access to essential oncology medicines but also protects patients from catastrophic health expenditures,” he said.
David commended FMC Abuja for its support and encouraged the facility to expand its NHIA service accreditations from six to over 20, in order to offer a full continuum of cancer care from diagnosis to surgery, chemotherapy and rehabilitation.
In his remarks, the Chief Medical Director of FMC Abuja, Prof. Saad Ahmed, welcomed the partnership, saying it would significantly ease the financial burden faced by many cancer patients.
Saad, who was represented by the Director of Clinical Services, Dr Muftau Bioku, emphasized that cancer treatment is often unaffordable for most Nigerians, making the cost-sharing initiative timely and impactful.
In November 2021, Roche Products Ltd and the National Health Insurance Authority signed a MoU for a partnership to improve universal health coverage in Nigeria.
The major focus of the partnership is to provide innovative and accessible cancer care. The partnership is a cost-sharing initiative which splits the financial obligation between the patient, and Roche respectively, ensuring that the patient pays a minimum amount for their
treatment, thus providing financial protection for patients. As a consequence, patients can afford both their prescription and other aspects of their care.
After a two-year pilot, a review and expansion to improve access and provide more benefits to Nigerians was signed in 2025 between Roche and the NHIA Management.
The expansion also includes full treatment coverage, access for uninsured patients, navigation and counselling services for patients and
immunohistochemistry testing for eligible patients.
The partnership is focused on supporting the NHIA and Nigeria on the journey towards UHC by creating access to affordable cancer care for Nigerians, improving treatment outcomes, and protecting Nigerians from the financial catastrophe of cancer treatment.
The National Emergency Management Agency said no fewer than 165 persons have died, 82 missing and 119,791 persons have been affected by this year’s flooding.
NEMA revealed this in its data dashboard on Friday.
The agency also stated that 138 persons sustained various degrees of injuries, 43,936 displaced, 8,594 houses affected and 8,278 farmlands destroyed across 43 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 19 States.
According to the agency, children and women were mostly affected.
It said, “53,314 children , 36,573 women, 24,600 men, 5,304 elderly, 1,863 disabled persons have so far been affected by this year flood.”
The states with the highest number of affected persons are Imo, Rivers, Abia, Borno and Kaduna States.
Meanwhile, the 19 states affected are; Abia, FCT, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Borno, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Ondo, Rivers and Sokoto States.
The Nigeria Immigration Service has issued an advisory urging Nigerians to use their U.S. visas responsibly and in strict compliance with the stated purpose of their application.
This follows concerns raised by the U.S. Government over the misuse of visas by some Nigerian citizens.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, the Service Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, said Nigerians holding U.S. visas must adhere to the terms and conditions under which the visas were granted.
“The Nigeria Immigration Service wishes to inform the general public of concerns raised by the United States Government regarding the misuse of U.S. visas by Nigerians.
“All visa holders are advised to strictly adhere to the purpose stated in their visa applications
“U.S. authorities conduct security screening beyond the initial point of entry into the country. Any breach of immigration or other laws can lead to visa revocation or deportation.
“Breach of visa conditions, including overstaying, may attract severe penalties, including removal from the U.S. and permanent ineligibility for future travel,” he said.
According to him, the U.S. remains committed to maintaining a secure and transparent visa process and expects all visa holders to comply fully with its immigration regulations.
He also advised Nigerian students in the U.S. to remain in active study programmes and refrain from unauthorised withdrawal or absenteeism.
He noted that such actions could result in visa cancellation and the loss of future eligibility for U.S. travel.
The NIS warned that the U.S. consular officers reserve the right to deny tourist visas to applicants suspected of intending to travel to give birth, in a bid to secure U.S. citizenship for their children.
“The NIS will continue to collaborate with the U.S. Mission in Abuja to ensure Nigeria is not included in any expanded visa restrictions,” he said.
“We are calling on all Nigerian citizens to comply with U.S. visa rules as such conduct is essential to safeguarding legitimate travel opportunities.
Amnesty International has condemned the order issued by the Governor of Niger State, Umar Bago, directing the closure of Badeggi 90.1 FM Radio in Minna.
The human rights organisation said the allegation that the radio station was “inciting violence” and the subsequent directive to revoke its licence represent an abuse of power.
In a statement on Saturday by the Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, the organisation said the order for the closure of the radio station is misguided and unjustifiable.
Sanusi criticised the state government’s focus on media clampdown amid worsening insecurity in the region, including killings and mass displacement by armed groups.
He said, “Amnesty International strongly condemns the lawless and repressive order issued yesterday by Governor Umar Bago of Niger State for the closure of Badeggi 90.1 FM Radio Minna – which is an independent sources of news for the people of Niger state.
“The governor’s allegation against the radio station of ‘inciting violence’ and his order that ‘the licence of the dadio station be revoked’ clearly show abuse of power and unacceptable intolerance of critical voices. The order for the closure of the radio station is misguided and unjustifiable.”
He called on Bago to immediately withdraw the order, stating that under Nigerian law, state governors lack the authority to shut down broadcast stations.
Sanusi said, “While bandits and insurgents are ravaging the Niger state through killings and massive displacements of rural communities, with both the Federal Government and Niger State failing to protect lives, pointing accusing fingers at a radio station clearly shows a failure of leadership.
“Attacking Badeggi 90.1 FM is part of a wider pattern of attempts to create climate of fear across newsrooms in Nigeria and to make it harder for journalists to do their job.
“Governor Bago must immediately withdraw his unlawful order. “Under Nigerian laws, the governor has no power to order the closure of a radio station. Choosing to bizarrely blame a radio station for the inexcusable security failures of the government is an open attack on media freedom.
“Targeting independent media is solely aimed at depriving the people of the opportunity to receive fair and objective reporting of issues affecting their lives.”
Recall that on Thursday, the governor ordered the closure of Badeggi FM Radio Station for inciting violence.
The governor gave the directive during the expanded Niger State APC Caucus meeting held at the Government House, Minna.
According to him, the decision was taken because the daily activities of the Radio station have been unethical.
Former Kogi senator, Dino Melaye, has expressed regret for previously backing the All Progressives Congress, describing his past support as a mistake.
He also expressed confidence in the African Democratic Congress to present a strong contender capable of unseating President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme aired on Friday, Melaye acknowledged his past alignment with the ruling party but said he had since turned a new leaf.
“Once I was blind, now I can see. I regret in totality.
“Just like you confess your sins daily in the Lord’s prayer, I ask for forgiveness.
“Anyone who has moved with the devil, anyone who has aligned with an unholy tendency, should regret it,” the former lawmaker said.
Melaye slammed the APC administration for worsening socio-economic conditions, saying hunger and poverty have reached dangerous levels across Nigeria.
“You don’t need a prophet to tell you what is happening in this country. It is visible even to the blind and audible to the deaf.
“The hunger in the land is shattered. People are dying of malnutrition in rural communities.
“Take a trip today to your village and just announce that you want to share two bags of rice.
“If you are not careful, there will be dead casualties from the struggle to get something,” he said.
Turning to 2027 politics, Melaye said the ADC was focused on building a stable party platform that would produce a credible presidential candidate to defeat Tinubu.
“Especially those of us in the ADC, we need to create a comfortable, stable platform.
“I believe that platform will produce a candidate that will unseat President Ahmed Bola Tinubu in 2027,” he said.
When asked if he would support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Melaye declined to endorse any aspirant, saying his focus was on strengthening the party first.
“I will not be talking about a presidential candidate or preference for anybody until we get the party completely stabilised and organise a transparently honest convention,” he said.
Although Atiku has not officially declared interest in the 2027 race, Melaye praised his ongoing political efforts.
“What Atiku is doing is rescuing this country, bringing together men of honour and valour to correct and palliate the satanic manifestation of the APC,” Melaye added.
The Spokesman for Osun State Governor, Olawale Rasheed, has stated that his principal will not join the African Democratic Congress or align with any interest within the party ahead of the 2026 state elections in the state.
A statement signed by Rasheed obtained in Osogbo on Friday said he was responding to media publications and enquiries regarding Adeleke’s next political move.
Rasheed subsequently declared that Adeleke remains in the Peoples Democratic Party, stating that the incumbent Osun governor would win the next governorship poll in the state with a wide margin on the party’s platform.
“Our attention has been drawn to news reports and media enquiries about the imminent defection of Governor Ademola Adeleke to the ADC or alignment with ADC bigwigs ahead of the 2026 governorship race. There is no truth in those publications and speculations.
“First of all, we, the PDP Osun, have already adopted and endorsed President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, so there is no alliance with ADC.
“Secondly, Governor Adeleke has no alliance with anyone in ADC. He remains in PDP, will run in PDP, and needs no alliance with ADC to win with a wide margin in 2026,” Rasheed said.
He added that the Osun electorate has been supporting Adeleke due to his impressive performance since he came to office.
The statement further read, “That good work is still ongoing and Osun people are committed to sustaining the delivery of good governance by re-electing Governor Adeleke in 2026.”
He urged PDP members to forge ahead and strengthen the party structures across all levels to prepare for next year’s poll.
The leadership of Odo-Otin Local Government Traditional Council, comprising royal fathers of communities in the council areas on Friday said it has intervened in the face-off involving the Alasi of Asi, Oba Isaac Oyewale and the Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun.
This was disclosed by the President of the LGA Traditional Council, Oba Abioye Oyebode, while speaking with journalists in his palace in Okuku, Osun State.
Oba Abioye, who is the Olokuku of Okuku, said the Council had directed him and Oloyan of Oyan, and Oba Kilani Adekeye to meet Oba Oyewale to get further details of what transpired between Alasi and Egbedun.
A voice note had surfaced on social media on Thursday where Egbedun accused Oba Oyewale of giving support to hoodlums who attacked him in Okuku, threatening to move against the monarch.
After the voice note had gone viral, some residents of Asi, predominantly youths held a peaceful protest in the community, accusing Oba Oyewale of witch-hunting Egbedun, who hails from the town.
Oba Oyewale, however, refused to react to text messages sent to him for reaction and his line could not be reached as our correspondent made efforts to reach him for reaction to the allegations against him.
Speaking further on the measures to resolve the disagreement, Oba Oyebode “We had a meeting in my palace here yesterday (Thursday) and after the meeting, some royal fathers that attended mentioned the rift between Alasi of Asi, Oba Oyewale and the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon Adewale Egbedun.
“The royal fathers that were with me here for the meeting include, Oloyan of Oyan, Atapara of Iyeku and Alagbeye of Agbeye. All the monarchs present disclosed what they heard regarding Alasi.
“But concerning the Speaker, they could not find any fault with him. We all resolved that by 4pm today, Friday, we should invite Alasi to explain what transpired between him and Egbedun. The meeting directed me and Oloyan to carry out the investigation. I am expecting Alasi and Oloyan by 4pm today.
“Egbedun as a representative of Odo Local Government in government has the support of all of us. He is serving his people and us traditional rulers. He has facilitated projects in communities across our council area. He organised empowerment for the people as well. But I am not privy to what happened between him and the Alasi of Asi. The matter is not a serious issue but we will meet Alasi and discuss with him today.”
He however assured that the disagreement would be resolved, and sought the cooperation of all the parties involved.
Commenting in a similar vein, the Oloyan of Oyan, Oba Adekeye said that immediately his attention was drawn to the rift, he spoke separately to Egbedun and Alasi.
Oba Adekeye said after his intervention, Egbedun assured him of total cooperation, noting that the disagreement would be resolved.
