BANNER NEWS

Month: May 2026

  • 497 Evacuated Nigerian Migrants Return From Niger Republic

    497 Evacuated Nigerian Migrants Return From Niger Republic

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Kano

    The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) has received 497 stranded Nigerian migrants evacuated from Niger Republic through the Jibia border corridor.

    The returnees arrived aboard a flight from Agadez, Niger Republic, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on Friday at about 12:25pm.

    Officials of the commission’s Kano Field Office, alongside representatives of relevant government agencies, received the migrants on arrival.

    Speaking during the reception, the Federal Commissioner of the commission, Dr Tijjani Aliyu Ahmed, said the evacuation followed a coordinated humanitarian intervention by the Federal Government in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

    Represented by the Kano Field Coordinator of the commission, Lubah Liman, the commissioner said the exercise was carried out under the IOM’s Voluntary Humanitarian Return programme.

    He explained that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its Consular and Migration Affairs Division, had earlier informed the commission of plans to evacuate stranded Nigerians from Agadez between May 22 and 25, 2026.

    According to him, the evacuation is being conducted in two batches in collaboration with the IOM and other relevant agencies, adding that the first batch, initially projected at about 600 persons, arrived with 497 returnees.

    The exercise involved collaboration with agencies including the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Department of State Services, SEMA and the Nigerian Red Cross Society.

    Ahmed said the returnees underwent documentation and MIDAS registration by the Nigeria Immigration Service before being moved to the Immigration Training School in Kano for feeding, profiling and other humanitarian support services.

    A breakdown of the returnees showed that 174 were adult males, 97 adult females, 137 male children and 89 female children.

    Some of the migrants recounted experiences of hardship while stranded in Agadez and appealed to the federal and state governments, humanitarian organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to assist their reintegration into society.

  • Troops Kill Two Suspected Bandits, Recover Arms in Taraba

    Troops Kill Two Suspected Bandits, Recover Arms in Taraba

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Jalingo

    Troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, Jalingo, have killed two suspected bandits and recovered arms during a raid operation in Taraba State.

    The operation was carried out by troops of Sector 3, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), deployed at Sarkin Kudu in Ibi Local Government Area, as part of efforts to flush out criminal elements threatening peace and security in the area.

    Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Umar Mohammed, said the troops acted on credible intelligence received on May 18, 2026, concerning the activities of suspected bandits at a hideout around Dooshima District in Sarkin Kudu.

    According to him, the troops swiftly mobilised to the area and launched a tactical raid on the hideout.

    “Upon arrival, the troops made contact with the armed bandits, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire,” he said.

    Mohammed disclosed that two suspected bandits were neutralised during the operation, while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

    Items recovered from the scene included one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine and a locally fabricated pistol.

    Other items recovered were an Android phone, three small mobile phones, two charm vests and other personal belongings suspected to belong to the fleeing bandits.

    He said the recovered exhibits were currently in military custody and would be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and necessary action.

    Reacting to the successful operation, Commander of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, Brigadier General Chukwuemeka Michael Akaliro, commended the troops for their courage, professionalism and swift response.

    Akaliro said the operation aligned with the directive of the Chief of Army Staff aimed at flushing out criminal elements and restoring lasting peace and security across Taraba State and neighbouring communities.

    The commander also assured that the brigade’s reward and sanction policy would be applied appropriately to the soldiers involved in the successful raid operation.

  • Boyfriend To Die By Lethal Injection Or Hanging For Strangling Girlfriend To Death 

    Boyfriend To Die By Lethal Injection Or Hanging For Strangling Girlfriend To Death 

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Uyo

    Justice Ekpo Ntekim of the Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo has ruled that 33 year old Ndifreke Isaiah Nelson should die hanging or lethal injection for murdering his girlfriend, Emem Monday Effanga.

    The the trial Judge found Nelson guilty on a two-count charge of murder and stealing, and sentenced him to death.

    The judge held that the punishment for stealing was subsumed under the sentence for murder.

    Nelson who is a church usher in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, reportedly killed the girlfriend on February 6, 2025, and stole her phone afterwards.

    The convict had visited the deceased girlfriend, late Emem Monday Effanga, at No. 102, Aka Road, opposite NEPA Line, Uyo, at about 7am, wanting to use her phone to post his birthday pictures on social media.

    An altercation ensued between both, leading to a struggle over the phone.

    It was learnt that during the process, Nelson slammed her head against the wall and then strangled her to death.

    After committing the offence, Nelson fled with the deceased’s phone, but on February 8, 2025 at 2am, he was tracked down to his church located on Nsikak Eduok Avenue, Uyo, where an all night service was holding.

    During interrogation, the convict confessed to the crime.

     

  • Execution Threat in Southern Kaduna Case Sparks Justice Campaign

    Execution Threat in Southern Kaduna Case Sparks Justice Campaign

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter

    A coalition of youth groups from the Middle Belt, South-East, South-West and South-South regions has called for an independent review of the death sentence handed to Victor Solomon, popularly known as “Zidane,” describing the case as a major test of justice and human rights in Nigeria.

    The demand was made at an international press conference in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, on Thursday under the theme, “A Life Hangs in the Balance: The Case of Victor Solomon and the Imperative of Justice in Southern Kaduna.”

    The coalition comprises the Middle Belt Youth Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing, Afenifere Youth and PANDEF Youth.

    Addressing journalists, Kaduna State Chairman of the Middle Belt Youth Forum, Comrade Samuel Wuya, said the groups were speaking not as political or ethnic organisations but as “citizens of conscience” concerned about fairness, due process and the sanctity of human life.

    Solomon, a member of the Adara community in Southern Kaduna, was sentenced to death by hanging by a Kaduna State High Court on January 6, 2026, over offences linked to violent communal clashes in Kajuru Local Government Area.

    The coalition noted that Solomon had earlier been discharged and acquitted in another case involving criminal conspiracy and attempted culpable homicide in May 2024, but was later convicted in a separate matter bordering on conspiracy, grievous harm and culpable homicide.

    Although the Kaduna State Government, through the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, James Kanyip, insisted that the two cases were distinct and handled in line with due process, the groups said concerns remained over the wider context of the trial and the prolonged communal crisis in Southern Kaduna.

    They argued that years of violence, displacement and unresolved attacks in the area required any death sentence arising from the conflict to be subjected to “the highest standards of scrutiny and transparency.”

    The coalition called on Governor Uba Sani to grant a stay of execution pending an independent review of the case.

    The groups also urged the judiciary to ensure fairness during the appeal process and appealed to the Federal Government, the National Human Rights Commission, the United Nations and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to closely monitor the matter.

    According to the coalition, the case has grown beyond an individual trial and now represents the broader struggle for justice, accountability and peaceful coexistence in conflict-affected communities across Nigeria.

  • Women Spring Major Upsets in Ondo APC Assembly Primaries

    Women Spring Major Upsets in Ondo APC Assembly Primaries

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Akure

    Female aspirants recorded major victories in the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly primaries in Ondo State, emerging as strong contenders in key Akure constituencies ahead of the general election.

    The biggest upset came in Akure North State Constituency where Tomisin Edu Falade defeated incumbent lawmaker Ologede Kolawole Michael in a landslide victory.

    Edu polled 8,700 votes to overwhelm Ologede, who secured 199 votes, while Fanibuyan Oluwole Samuel garnered 61 votes.

    Speaking after the exercise, Edu described the primary as peaceful and a true reflection of the people’s support for her aspiration.

    “This election is beyond controversy. People came out massively to vote — old, young and women alike. We thank God it was peaceful and calm,” she said.

    Political observers described her victory as one of the biggest surprises of the APC primaries in Ondo State, noting that it reflected growing grassroots support for female leadership, especially among youths and women.

    In Akure South Constituency I, another female aspirant, Rosemary Adeola Fynch, also clinched the APC ticket after polling 2,267 votes.

    Fynch thanked party members for the confidence reposed in her, describing the victory as a collective achievement.

    “I’m happy for this honour and the confidence party members have shown in me. This victory belongs to the people and everyone who believed in this vision,” she said.

    Stakeholders within the APC said the emergence of the two women signaled increasing acceptance of female participation in Ondo’s political space and urged party members to unite ahead of the general election.

    Chairman of Akure South Local Government, Gbenga Fasua, commended the conduct of the primaries, describing the process as peaceful and largely free of disputes.

    According to him, the smooth exercise reflected growing cohesion within the ruling party in the state.

  • Nigeria’s Democracy Plagued By Self-Interest, Not Accountability — Ahiakwo

    Nigeria’s Democracy Plagued By Self-Interest, Not Accountability — Ahiakwo

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar

    As Nigeria prepares to mark Democracy Day on May 29, 2026, legal practitioner and public affairs analyst, Justice Osai Ahiakwo, has lamented what he described as the steady decline of democratic values in the country, saying politics has become driven more by personal interests than service and accountability.

    Ahiakwo, in an interview in Calabar on Wednesday, observed that although Nigeria’s democracy has recorded measurable progress since the return to civil rule in 1999, the process through which political leaders emerge has become increasingly troubling.

    According to him, leadership recruitment in the country is now largely shaped by godfatherism, political imposition and loyalty to individuals rather than democratic ideals and institutional integrity.

    He noted that electoral reforms, which ought to strengthen democratic institutions and public trust, are often perceived as tools designed to favour the ruling party and consolidate political control.

    “This trend has gradually eroded public confidence in the democratic process,” he said.

    Drawing comparisons with the United States presidential system, which Nigeria adopted, Ahiakwo argued that the American democracy thrives because of strong institutions, respect for the rule of law, accountability and a clear separation of powers.

    He, however, regretted that in Nigeria, political interference, abuse of power and excessive loyalty to powerful individuals frequently undermine these democratic principles.

    The analyst further stated that many political actors in the country demonstrate little understanding of true federalism, despite attempts to replicate aspects of the American presidential structure.

    He warned that unless governance becomes more service-oriented and public office stripped of excessive material incentives, Nigeria may continue to witness democratic decline.

    Ahiakwo cautioned that if the current trend persists, future leaders could resort to more draconian measures to retain power at the expense of democratic freedoms.

     

  • Another Fubara Joins Rivers Governorship Race On NDC Platform

    Another Fubara Joins Rivers Governorship Race On NDC Platform

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Port Harcourt

    Another politician bearing the Fubara name, Blessing Fubara Snr, has emerged in the race for the 2027 governorship election in Rivers State after obtaining the expression of interest and nomination forms of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    The development comes amid reports that Governor Sim Fubara withdrew from the ongoing governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

    Blessing Fubara Snr, described as an urban renewal consultant, reportedly picked up the forms at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Confirming the development, Rivers State chairman of the NDC, Success Jack, said Fubara Snr is among the party’s governorship aspirants ahead of the 2027 election.

    According to him, the party is positioning itself strongly to challenge for power in the state.

    Fubara Snr defected from the APC to the NDC about two weeks ago and was formally received by the party’s national leadership in Abuja.

    The national leader of the NDC, Seriake Dickson, alongside other stakeholders, welcomed him into the party during the defection ceremony.

    Speaking after joining the party, Fubara Snr said his decision to align with the NDC was driven by what he described as the need to protect the interest of Rivers people.

    “The soul of Rivers State is at stake as the people prepare to reclaim their state in 2027,” he stated.

    Supporters of the party have described his emergence as the beginning of a new political movement in the state, as political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship contest continue to gather momentum.

    Blessing Fubara Snr holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Development and Adult Education.

  • HR Day: Technology Alone Cannot Reform Nigeria’s Public Service – CIPM

    HR Day: Technology Alone Cannot Reform Nigeria’s Public Service – CIPM

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar

    The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria has said technology alone cannot transform Nigeria’s public service, stressing that human capacity development remains critical in the digital era.

    President of the institute, Ahmed Gobir, stated this on Wednesday in Calabar during the Fifth Annual Branch Conference and 44th anniversary of the Cross River branch of the institute.

    The conference, themed “Empowering People to Lead Change in the Public Sector: The Future of Government Human Resource in an Artificial Intelligence-Driven Era,” focused on preparing public servants for emerging workplace realities shaped by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

    Represented by the South-South Coordinator of CIPM, Susan Agorom, Gobir said AI had come to stay and would improve efficiency in both public and private sectors.

    He noted that digitisation could significantly reduce corruption and inefficiency in government operations if properly implemented, adding that AI would complement, rather than replace, human labour.

    According to him, empathy and emotional intelligence would remain indispensable despite growing digital interactions in workplaces.

    Chairman of CIPM Cross River Branch, Adeola Ogunyankin, said the conference became necessary because many government processes were still largely manual despite global advances in digital transformation.

    “We need to sensitise public servants and help them move from paper processes to digital operations,” she said.

    Ogunyankin identified resistance to change among workers as a major challenge to technology adoption in the public sector, adding that the institute was intensifying awareness campaigns and capacity building for younger professionals in the evolving HR industry.

    She further disclosed that the institute was collaborating with universities and HR experts to expose students to practical human resource management.

    Also speaking, Cross River State Head of Service, Orok Okon, said governments must deliberately invest in people, reform HR systems and promote continuous training to prepare workers for digital transformation.

    Represented by Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Lucy Enakirerhi, Okon said human resource management had evolved beyond recruitment, payroll and administration.

    “The future of public sector transformation will not be determined by technology alone, but by how well we empower people to use it,” he said, urging governments to promote ethical AI governance and build people-centred digital institutions.

    As part of activities marking the event, the institute organised a medical outreach in partnership with the Medical Women Association of Nigeria, where members of the public were screened for hepatitis, high blood pressure and other ailments.

    The conference also featured panel discussions on digital governance, skill gaps between public and private sectors, as well as awards presented to distinguished recipients.

  • Bishop Raises Alarm Over Killings in Obubra Communities, Calls for Peace

    Bishop Raises Alarm Over Killings in Obubra Communities, Calls for Peace

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar

    A Cross River-born cleric and former bishop in Uganda, Bishop Joseph Abeng, has condemned the renewed communal clashes between Ofatura and Ovonum communities in Obubra Local Government Area of the state, alleging that more than 50 persons have been killed in the violence.

    In an interview, Bishop Abeng appealed to both communities to embrace peace and pursue an amicable resolution of the lingering dispute, warning against further bloodshed and destruction.

    The spokesman of the Nigeria Police Force, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, confirmed the crisis in a statement issued on Tuesday. He said the conflict began after an alleged cassava theft incident, which later escalated into a dispute over land ownership.

    “The Command confirms that a communal misunderstanding occurred between Ofatura and Ovonum communities in Obubra LGA following a report of alleged cassava theft which was later discovered to be connected to a land dispute,” the statement said.

    Akata added that security operatives intervened promptly, leading to peace talks between the warring communities. According to him, both parties agreed to maintain peace and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.

    Bishop Abeng, who hails from the area, said the deployment of soldiers and policemen by the state government had helped to contain the violence, which he noted had resulted in widespread killings and destruction of property.

    He further alleged that one of the communities recruited mercenaries to bolster its strength, claiming the opposing side had the backing of several retired senior security officers. He, however, stated that the mercenaries were eventually neutralised during the clashes.

    “As we speak this morning, the number of casualties from the conflict is more than 50. Most of those killed are the mercenaries,” the cleric alleged. “Several houses and equipment have also been destroyed on both sides.”

    The bishop further claimed that despite the heavy presence of security personnel, isolated attacks and killings reportedly continued until Monday night before community leaders were later released by authorities.

    According to him, the Ovonum community had been retaliating against what it perceived as suppression and alleged land encroachment by the Ofatura people. He added that prior to the escalation of the conflict, youths from both communities had been summoned by the paramount ruler of the Adon Kingdom, but efforts at reconciliation failed as the parties allegedly refused to heed the intervention.

  • Senator Williams, Ekpere, former APC women leader frown at conduct of Senatorial Primary in C/River

    Senator Williams, Ekpere, former APC women leader frown at conduct of Senatorial Primary in C/River

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar

    Controversy has continued to trail the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary for Cross River Central Senatorial District as aspirants, Sen. Eteng Jones Williams and Ms Mary Ekpere, rejected the outcome of the exercise, insisting that no valid primary election was conducted across the 66 wards of the district.

    The aspirants separately urged party supporters and stakeholders to disregard results circulating on social media claiming that a winner had emerged, describing the figures as fabricated and capable of deepening divisions within the party.

    Williams alleged that no voting took place anywhere in the district, maintaining that his supporters monitored activities across the 66 wards without sighting electoral officials or voting materials.

    According to the senator, party officials expected to conduct the exercise never arrived at several locations, despite aspirants and supporters waiting until late in the evening.

    He further claimed that his community, which he said has over 1,000 registered APC members, was unable to vote because officials failed to show up.

    “I do not understand the desperation behind this process. Elections are meant to test popularity in the field, not through backdoor arrangements,” he said.

    Williams also alleged that materials meant for the primary election were diverted and allegedly handed to some state government officials, who, according to him, collated and announced results from an undisclosed location.

    Questioning the authenticity of the figures being circulated, the senator argued that the results did not reflect the political realities in areas where he claimed to enjoy overwhelming support.

    “As an aspirant, nobody contacted me to provide agents for the exercise, yet results suddenly appeared. That raises serious questions about the credibility of the process,” he added.

    He called on the APC leadership to intervene and ensure justice, insisting that due process must prevail in the interest of the party’s unity and credibility.

    Also reacting, Ms Mary Ekpere said she neither saw electoral materials nor participated in any voting process, despite being an aspirant in the contest.

    She appealed to the party leadership and Governor Bassey Otu to ensure fairness and equal treatment for all aspirants.

    “We are all members of the same party and children of Governor Bassey Otu. All we ask for is fairness, justice and equity. Let everybody go to the field and test their popularity, and whoever wins, we will support,” she said.