The Niger State Police Command has announced the arrest of Ibrahim Abdullahi, a resident of Kubwa, Abuja, for allegedly impersonating a soldier and attempting to rob two individuals of their motorcycle in Minna, the state capital.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in a statement issued in Minna.
According to him, the incident occurred in September 2025, when the suspect allegedly stopped the victims along Tutungo-Farindoki Road, claiming he was escorting them to the Army Barracks in Minna.
Against this background, the victims raised an alarm, and the suspect was apprehended by a police surveillance team and state traffic personnel at the City Gate area.
“On getting to City Gate, the victims raised alarm as he attempted to escape with the motorcycle, which attracted the crowd,” he stated.
In a separate incident, a suspected motorcycle thief, Augustine Mathew, was arrested in Bangi town for stealing a Daylong motorcycle from a residence on September 15, 2025.
isclosed that police surveillance personnel caught the suspect with the stolen vehicle.
“During interrogation, he confessed to the crime,” Abiodun revealed.
According to him, the suspect has been charged in court.
Nyesom Wike made the remark on Thursday during the flag-off ceremony for the construction of Arterial Road N1, which connects Wuye District to Ring Road II in Abuja.
The minister condemned what he called a growing trend of “insulting the President with impunity” on social media.
Weighing in on the grievances of resident doctors who recently threatened protests over unpaid allowances and inadequate attention to health infrastructure, the former Rivers State governor reiterated that demonstrations are part of democracy but warned against blackmailing government.
Wike disclosed this on Thursday during an appearance on Politics Today, a programme aired on Channels Television.
“We have been speaking. I don’t talk to a man I have not forgiven, so I have forgiven him.
Fubara
“I’m not a politician that says one thing here and does another different thing tomorrow. If I tell you we’re quarrelling then we are quarrelling, and if I said everything is over, then it’s over.
“You heard what the Speaker of the state assembly said. We have to move forward. He said Mr Governor, send the list of your commissioners so that the state can move forward.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has stated that the emergency rule in Rivers State would have continued if he had chosen to let it remain in place.
Speaking on Channels Television shortly after President Bola Tinubu lifted the suspension of democratic governance in the state on Thursday, Wike alleged that certain individuals are intent on prolonging the crisis in Rivers.
The former governor also revealed that he has spoken with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, affirming that peace has now been restored in the state.
It was reported earlier that the six-month state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu, widely condemned as illegal, ended on Thursday.
Fubara returned to Government House on Thursday to resume his duties as the democratically elected governor of the state.
Wike x Fubara
Ezenwo Nyesom Wike said that some people he described as crisis builders do not want the unrest to end because they were benefiting from it.
“I was watching on television today, there are people who are natural crisis builders who think they can only benefit when there is a crisis,” Ezenwo Nyesom Wike said.
“If we don’t want this state of emergency to be lifted, we would have done one or two things to ensure that it continues.”
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has vowed not to impose commissioners on the reinstated Governor of Rivers State, Sim Fubara.
Nyesom Wike assured that he would allow Fubara full autonomy to lead the state and work towards improving it beyond its current state.
Nyesom Wike made this statement during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday.
President Bola Tinubu had suspended Fubara for six months and reinstated him today. Despite the order, Fubara is yet to make a public appearance or officially announce his resumption.
Wike x Fubara
However, when asked if he would decide Fubara’s commissioners, Wike said: “I cannot go and impose anything on the governor, why would I impose anything on the governor? Assuming I go to the governor and he says no, will the state collapse?
“I will not and I have no candidate, even if the governor comes to me now and said we have agreed to work together which is natural, I will say look I give you free hand to pick what you want for the state.
“All I want to say is I know what I did and what I have done to keep the state to this level, don’t drop it, move ahead.
“As I speak to you, I left the state where we can compete favourably with Lagos and I can challenge anybody.”
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has addressed the whereabouts of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, following the conclusion of the emergency rule in the state.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Thursday, Wike clarified that there is no legal obligation requiring Governor Fubara to immediately resume official duties.
It was reported that the governor’s whereabouts remain unknown, even though he was expected to resume office today.
He said: “There’s no law that says he must resume work today as governor. I don’t understand the way we operate. Okay? I was sworn in today, for example, does not mean I go to office tomorrow. You don’t know what my programmes are. You don’t know what the governor has scheduled to do.
“You don’t even know where he is. You don’t know, governance is not that you must be in the office governing. No, it’s not true.
“Do you know whether he’s in Abuja doing one or two things? Do you know whether he’s in Lagos? I’m not a CSO, his protocol officer.”
“Actually we are not celebrating it; there is nothing new to be celebrated,” Ozobo said in an interview with newsmen in Warri.
He said the Rivers governor’s suspension by President Bola Tinubu was “illegal, undemocratic and unconstitutional”.
“As a civilian president, he (Tinubu) does not have the constitutional right to suspend a democratic elected governor.
“We are just advising Mr. President to stop all this lawlessness because what he has done could set a bad precedence and it could cause tension if not for the fact that the youths of that state were able to calm themselves down.
Governor Fubara
“It is a bad precedence he has set and we are advising him to desist from such in the future because his actions are barbaric and unlawful,” Ozobo added.
Famous Afrobeat star Tiwa Savage has characterized her past relationship with a Nigerian celebrity as disrespectful.
tiwa
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In a recent interview on Joe Budden’s podcast, Tiwa revealed that the unnamed celebrity was adamant about keeping their relationship a secret.
She also recounted how he would flirt with other women right in front of her, describing the hidden romance as “disrespectful.”
“I am a public figure and he is as well. He said he doesn’t want us to go public, I said cool is ok. And he said when we go out, I might be talking to other people but I’m just doing it so that people don’t suspect.
Tiwa
“We might be at the same event, and he will be talking, laughing, and even touching other ladies while still looking at me like, ‘Don’t worry, it’s nothing I am just doing it!’ It was happening right in front of me and I couldn’t say anything. It’s a disrespect”, she said.
Narrating her bitter experience, she refused to mention the name of the celebrity but many netizens assumed is Wizkid.
Edo State lawmaker Natasha Osawaru has complimented her husband, singer 2Face, on his youthful appearance, saying his physique defies his age.
2Face x Natasha
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Natasha Osawaru remarked that the ‘African Queen’ crooner looks younger than she does, even though he is 20 years her senior.
As she celebrated 2Face’s 50th birthday on Thursday, September 18, 2025, Natasha expressed that her happiness is complete with him by her side.
2Baba x Natasha
“Happy birthday to the love of my life. You are 50! Oh wow! You spaced me with 20 years and you look younger than I do. How iconic,” part of a post on her Instagram page reads.
She assured 2Face of her undying love, saying, “waking up to you every morning is one of the greatest gifts ever.”
Legendary musician 9ice has cautioned his fellow artist, Innocent Idibia, also known as 2Face, that many people are unhappy with his success. He stated that numerous individuals wish for the ‘African Queen’ singer to lose his standing.
2baba
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9ice made this statement while congratulating 2Face on his 50th birthday on Thursday.
The ‘Gonga So’ hitmaker assured 2Face that he would continue to rise despite the opposition.
He stated, “2Face, happy birthday to you. I wish you long life and prosperity. I know so many wish you fall but you shall never fall. I love you. You shall prosper.
“You are not going to fall. It’s just a phase of life. You will always overcome it. I love you. God bless you. Happy birthday to you.”
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared his readiness to face any challenges from contractors as he begins a new series of project flag-offs and commissionings across the capital city.
Wike stated that contractors uneasy with the FCT Administration’s new approach to project maintenance might choose to resist.
The minister plans to spend 16 days flagging off projects and commissioning two additional ones, starting today and continuing through October 16.
However, Wike warned contractors against complacency, noting that they should stay away if they are not ready to work.
He spoke during the flagging off of the construction of Arterial Road N1 From Wuye District to Ring Road II, Abuja, on Thursday.
“Very soon we are flagging off to light up the whole of Abuja and you will see another fight, you know why? All those contractors, everyday I see files with maintenance of street light here, maintenance of back road light here, you continue to pay and pay.
FCT Minister, Nysesom Wike
“Now we have come up with a strategy on how to pay, there will be a fight. So if you are not prepared don’t come up here, me, I’m prepared for it.
“There are those whose duty is to supply generators. So now that a new strategy has come, they would fight me and I’m fully prepared for the fight.
“They will circumvent it, there are those who are political heads and because money is being imputed as overhead and it may not be there again, they will fight you. “There are those from outside who believe that it’s their traditional title to produce generators, they will fight you; there are those politicians whose duty every time is to put street light, they will fight you,” Wike said.
The minister also expressed his determination to support President Bola Tinubu achieve his plans for Nigeria.
“If you’re not prepared for this job, go home and sleep. I’m prepared to support and help Mr. President to achieve for this country to get to where we’re supposed to be,” he added.
Additionally, they have urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to submit the list of commissioners’ nominees for screening.
According to recent reports, lawmakers resumed their session on Thursday morning following the lifting of the state’s emergency rule.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had on Wednesday suspended the emergency rule with all democratic structures in the state restored.
Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, presided over the plenary at the conference hall nestled within the legislative quarters.
The Assembly is still under construction following its demolition months ago by the state government.
Rivers Administrator, Vice admiral Ibas
On March 18, Tinubu declared emergency rule in the state following a protracted political crisis arising from the rift between Fubara and Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
Subsequently, Fubara, Ngozi Nma Odu, his deputy, and the legislators were suspended for a period of six months by the president.
Tinubu appointed Ibas as sole administrator of the state for the period.
Demonstrators march with flares in Lyon, central-eastern France, on September 18, 2025, during a day of nationwide strikes and protests called by unions over France's national budget. France is bracing for a day of nationwide protests on September 18, 2025, with a source close to the authorities saying some 800,000 people are expected to take to the streets. In a rare show of unity, trade unions have urged French people to strike in protest at the authorities' "horror show" draft budget designed to reduce France's ballooning debt. (Photo by OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE / AFP)
French protesters have staged a day of nationwide protests and demonstrations in an expression of anger over France’s President, Emmanuel Macron’s austerity policies, causing widespread disruption.
Schools were shuttered, public transport was halted, and tens of thousands of people participated in protests that included occasional altercations with the police.
Macron’s seventh prime minister, Sebastien Lecornu, took office last week and promised a departure from the past in an effort to calm a deteriorating political crisis.
However, unions and many French citizens remain incensed despite the selection of the 39-year-old former defence minister and close Macron ally.
“Every day the richest get richer and the poor get poorer,” Bruno Cavalier, a 64-year-old protester carrying a placard reading “Smile, you are being taxed”, told AFP in Lyon, France’s third-largest city.
Despite the new premier’s promises to eliminate lifelong privileges for former prime ministers and a widely denounced plan to eliminate two public holidays, protesters are still furious about Francois Bayrou’s proposed 44 billion euros ($52 billion) cost-cutting budget.
Armed with water cannons, armoured vehicles, and drones, over 80,000 police officers and gendarmes have been deployed.
Prior to the protests, the interior ministry predicted that between 600,000 and 900,000 people would join the French protests.
More than 76,500 people have taken to the streets as of Thursday midday, and Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau described the rallies as “less intense than expected” thus far.
According to reports, nine out of ten pharmacies were closed, and almost one in six primary and secondary school teachers walked out in a rare display of solidarity with unions calling for strikes.
Brutal Clashes, disruption in France as anti-Macron protests spread
Only the three driverless automated lines on the Paris Metro were operating normally, causing significant disruptions for commuters.
The size of the protests satisfied trade unions, they said.
“We have recorded 260 demonstrations across France,” said Sophie Binet, leader of the CGT union. “There are thousands and thousands of strikes in all workplaces.”
Tear gas was deployed by police to break up early, unapproved protests in Paris and Marseille. Although police said they had been confronted by “hostile” protesters, an AFPTV reporter saw a police officer in Marseille kicking a protester on the ground.
Police clashed with a group of masked adolescents at the rally’s head in Lyon, injuring a police officer and a France TV journalist.
Protesters participated in an early-morning union-led operation to block bus depots on the outskirts of Lille, a city in northern France.
“The aim is to show the government that we’re here, that we’re fed up with being taxed like crazy, that we’re fed up with having trouble making ends meet,” said Samuel Gaillard, a 58-year-old garbage truck driver.
With signs like “block your school against austerity,” some 300 students from the Maurice Ravel secondary school in eastern Paris participated in the demonstrations.
Since a months-long campaign in early 2023 against Macron’s highly despised retirement age increase, which the government forced through parliament without a vote, officials said they anticipated Thursday’s action to be the most widely followed day of union-led rallies and strikes.
Brutal Clashes, disruption in France as anti-Macron protests spread
The protest day is an early test of Lecornu’s crisis management skills, but resentment is growing against Macron, who is experiencing his lowest popularity ratings ever and has only one and a half years left in office.
“The president is the source of chaos, and everything that has happened recently is the result of his actions,” hard-left firebrand Jean-Luc Melenchon declared in Marseille.
Laurent Nunez, the head of Paris police, told AFP on Wednesday that he was “very concerned” about the possibility that rioters who want to cause clashes and damage would infiltrate the union march in Paris and asked stores in the city centre to close for the day.
Sanwo-Olu opens new engagement channels with protesters
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the fire outbreak at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos Island, on Tuesday.
The governor also sympathized with companies that lost staff members in the tragedy, as well as traders whose shops and goods were destroyed in a separate fire at Emab Plaza, a four-storey complex behind Mandilas on Taiwo Street, Lagos Island.
According to a report by The Punch, the Emab Plaza fire occurred just hours after the Afriland Towers incident, destroying properties worth millions of naira and leaving affected traders in shock and despair.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the government shares in the grief of all affected parties and remains committed to bolstering safety systems and enhancing emergency response capacity across the state.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families who lost loved ones, to the traders who lost their goods, and to the Federal Inland Revenue Service, United Capital, and other organisations mourning valued colleagues and assets due to the fire incidents at Afriland Towers and Central Plaza,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Sanwo-Olu
“In this difficult time, Lagos mourns with you, and together we will find the strength to move forward. We remain firmly committed to strengthening safety measures and improving emergency response so that we can better protect lives and property in our State.
“As we grieve, let us also draw strength from one another. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with every family, every colleague, and every trader who is carrying the weight of this loss,” the governor added.
