Uzodimma Congratulates Ilechukwu, Chair Imo NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel

March 17, 2026

Ilechukwu, Correspondent of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), polled 17 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr. Everest Ezihe of The Authority, who secured 11 votes, and Mr. Amby Uneze of ThisDay who got only one vote.

The by-election was held weekend by members of the Correspondents’ Chapel at the NUJ Secretariat in Owerri to fill the position of the former Chairman, Mr. Chinonso Alozie of the Vanguard who was expelled last year in connection with alleged financial impropriety.

In congratulating Ilechukwu, Governor Uzodimma urged the new Correspondents’ Chapel Chairman to see his election as a call to serve the public and God.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary/ Special Adviser, Media to the Governor, Chief Oguwike Nwachuku, said his principal was particularly pleased to hear that Ilechukwu was popular among his colleagues as a hardworking, responsible, and God fearing journalist who will be willing to use his position in the interest of his colleagues, profession and the society.

“As primus inter pare, Ilechukwu is expected to lead by example, to live above board as Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Imo State Chapter, setting the pace in ensuring that his colleagues abide by the ethics of the profession as they go about discharging their duties.”

The Governor assured the new Chairman and his team of the preparedness of his administration to continue to support and partner with the media in ensuring that they discharge their duties objectively, and without let or hindrance in the interest of the public.

He further urged Ilechukwu to be magnanimous in victory, particularly as it concerns his opponents during the by-election, refusing to see the running of an all inclusive executive as a sign of weakness, but rather, the strength in committed leadership.

Ilechukwu, married with children, has a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mass Communication from the Institute of Management Technology, Enugu as well as a Masters Degree in Mass Communication from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

The election was presided over

by the Acting Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Mr. Collins Osuji of The Guardian.

The Chairman of the NUJ in Imo State, Mr. Ifeanyi Nwanguma, had long inaugurated Ilechukwu as Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel in Imo State.

El Rufai: Between Political Persecution And Prosecution

James Orji

March 17, 2026

By Bayo Bernard

*”The Federal Government should come clean. It should convince Nigerians that El-Rufai is not detained this long, is not being persecuted, because he holds a different opinion from the Powers-that-be”*

The continuous detention of former Governor Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna State by the Federal Government, is doing a huge damage to the President BolaTinubu administration. It has, also become an embarrassment to Nigeria among committee of nations. And it is stirring up serious reactions, among well meaning Nigerians, and lovers of democracy all over the world, who are now critically questioning the democratic credentials of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC and the current administration.

Instructively, close watchers of the administration are also expressing serious doubts over the administration’s tolerance of the opposition leaders and dissents in the country.

Thus, following the detention of the former governor of Kaduna state on February 17 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, after he voluntarily presented himself before the Commission, and his detention by the ICPC, on February 19, many questions are being asked, among Nigerians, on what offence(s) he actually committed to warrant him being harassed, humiliated and kept incommunicado from his family, friends and political associates, for almost a month. Indeed when hopes were high that the ICPC would release him, the ICPC scandalised not a few when it went back to Court to seek for an extension of El-Rufai’s detention. Before his present ordeal, El-Rufai had been accosted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by Security Agents on his return from Egypt where he had gone for medical attention.

For the records, the Tinubu’s administration, is probing the El-Rufai for an alleged financial corruption while he was the governor of the North central state, an allegation that has been vehemently debunked by him.

The ex-governor has also recently been charged by the EFCC for allegedly tapping the phone calls of the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, referencing his appearance as a guest on Arise TV Prime Time programme on February 13, 2026 as evidence.

Recall that the former governor had, on the programme, accused the NSA of planning to arrest him on his return from abroad, saying he knew about the plot “because we listened to their calls. The government thinks that they’re the only ones that listen to calls. But we also have our ways. He made the call. He gave the order that they should arrest me.”
Few days after he made the allegation, the former governor was arrested by the EFCC, and since then, between the EFCC and the ICPC, he has been held without release, like a a hardened criminal, like he has no rights, and like his life does not matter.

El Rufai’s incarceration has generated serious furore from not a few well-meaning Nigerians, who are now asking very salient questions, including the legality of holding the former FCT Minister for close to a month without trial; whether the former governor was arrested because of his outspokenness against the government, and may be the powers-that-be simply decided to take him out of the system because of the key role he’s playing in trying to galvanize the opposition against the ruling party ahead the 2027 general elections.
Others are also asking why the same Tinubu government he played a huge role in bringing to power in 2023, has now turned against him, and as some Nigerians are now suggesting, is trying to punish him because of El Rufai’s penchant for constantly speaking against the administration.
Is the former governor deserving of the treatment being meted out to him by the administration which ascension to power he played a huge role, and President Tinubu who, probably could not have become president without El Rufai’s support?

So, what did El Rufai actually do to warrant him to be clamped into detention, like a common criminal?

Going by the government’s allegation against him, even though it’s hard, to establish which of the two accusations he’s now being held for, can the administration, with good conscience defend its decision to continue to detain El Rufai, as if he has been pronounced guilty, already, by the court of law?

So far, the Court process is still ongoing, and following a recent court order, to the effect that the former governor be released or charged to court, not a few Nigerians consider his continued detention by the ICPC as a violation of his fundamental human rights as enshrined in Chapter IV, Sections 33 to 46.of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

This is the contention of Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the ADC, when he featured on Channels TV recently. He accused the Tinubu administration of deliberately detaining the former governor without genuine reason. Okonkwo echoed what other well-meaning Nigerians have also contended, to the effect that El Rufai should be released from detention and be presented in Court, now that he has been charged by the Federal Government for allegedly tapping the phone calls of the NSA, Ribadu.

What ICPC is doing gives the impression that it had no case against him before his arrest and detention, and is just now fishing for what to hold against him. Otherwise, why would it take this long to establish any case against him and take him to Court.

The government had two weeks ago filed charges against him, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, before the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, claiming that El Rufai had on February 13, 2026, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme in Abuja, admitted that he and others unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA.
But Okonkwo, argued that the Federal Government must prove that El Rufai’s detention is not politically motivated, by bringing him to court for trial, saying the former governor’s predicament may not be totally unconnected with his alignment with the opposition ADC ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to Okonkwo, it’s not in doubt that President Tinubu is using the instrumentality of power to harass El Rufai, and other outspoken opposition leaders in the country who pose serious challenge to his next year’s re-electoin bid.

El Rufia “is being maltreated, he is being persecuted because he has joined ADC, and we are not exculpating anybody,” Okonkwo said, describing the corruption allegation against the former governor as an alibi to punish him for his consistent criticism against the administration.

“For now, he is using his authority as the commander-in-chief to use the instrumentality of the anti-corruption agencies in courts, because I wonder whether there is any commission fighting corruption in Tinubu’s regime,” he stated.

Apart from El Rufai, other opposition leaders in the country, a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami are facing different charges from the government, and the manner their cases are being handled has not escaped the scrutiny of Nigerians, who are wondering who could be grabbed next by the Tinubu administration.

What is common to the opposition leaders in their face-off with the administration is the accusation that they are being attacked because of their political difference with the Tinubu’s government. The government is seriously struggling to debunk the allegation, according to its critics.

Like Okonkwo, other Nigerians said they are finding it difficult to fathom why the former governor has been singled out for punishment, as if he’s the only one facing corruption allegations in the country. They are citing some top officials of the ruling APC, who have graft allegations hanging on their neck, but are still enjoying their freedom as if nothing is amiss, or rather in way that suggest that the Nigerian law, under the Tinubu administration has been fashioned to only punish and harass those who speak against the government, and opposition leaders who are regarded as a high risk for Tinubu and the ruling party’s quest to hold on to power, particularly as the next election in the country is around the corner.

This assertion is not hard to believe.

First, El Rufai’s case is not different from that of Yahaya Bello, a former governor of Kogi State, who despite the EFCC N118 billion case against him, is moving around freely in the country, and has been appointed as a member of the Financial Committee of the APC next year’s election’s campaign. He was even allowed to go to the Holy Land on pilgrimage. The question is begging for answer; whether the former Kogi helmsman, has more than two heads, or simply because El Rufai, by joining the opposition ADC has committed a mortal sin, and as such, no longer enjoys the maximum protection of the APC-led government for its leaders, good or bad.

El Rufai’s predicament may be a further proof of the remark, by a former National Chairman of the APC, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, to the effect that once you are member of the ruling party, you are forgiven of any offence or crime you may have committed against the country.

If not so, Nigerians are asking also, why some stalwarts of the ruling party, including former state governors and senators, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who are facing corruption charges are still allowed to enjoy their freedom. Could the only reason be that they are members of the ruling APC, and have not fallen out with the President and the powers that-be in Aso Villa, Nigeria’s seat of power?

This does not necessarily suggest that the former governor of Kaduna should be left off the hook, if he has, indeed, committed any crime that warrants the full weight of the law to be brought down on him. Far from it. But what not a few Nigerians are saying is that he remains innocent until proven guilty, and that he must not be harassed and tretad like a leper, while such cases are ongoing simply because he now shares a different view with those in power in Abuja, or because the power brokers in the country now consider him a political high-risk for his outspokenness, and because he’s a member of the coalition ADC, regarded by some government’s critics as the rallying point for opposition leaders in the country who are bent on challenging Tinubu’s and APC stranglehold on power in the next election in the country.

It’s not yet late for the administration to redeem itself of the image deficit it has incurred due to the El-Rufai brohaha.What the Tinubu Government needs to do is prove that the continuous detention of the former governor is not based on bad fate. And the only way to prove this is to handle his case in a transparent manner, for instance, by allowing him to have his dat in court, to defend himself of the allegation against him.

This is the position of the Coalition Political Action Committee, COPAC, who last week, urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to either file formal charges against the former governor or release him immediately, warning that any continued detention beyond the legally permitted period has violated the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights law.

“The 14-day remand order obtained in the case involving Nasir El-Rufai has expired. That order was granted for a specific and limited purpose: to allow investigators to complete their work within a defined constitutional window. It was not a licence for indefinite detention, procedural manipulation, or political theatre,” COPAC stated.

This assertion is not different from the position of some legal practitioners in the country who insist that the continued detention of the former governor is unwarranted, that the government has the choice to bring him to a public court for arraignment or let him go.

A legal practitioner, Abba Hikima said it’s unfathomable that the Federal Government has decided to hold the former governor for this long, despite the constitutional provisions that forbids such act.

“It is unfortunate that in a constitutional democracy like Nigeria, a suspect can be held for this number of days without being charged,” Hikimi said, adding that investigations should precede arrests.

“The law is clear that you don’t arrest someone and then start investigating. Investigation should come first before arrest and detention,” he said.
Also, Salman Jawondo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN argued that law enforcement agencies must strictly adhere to constitutional provisions in detaining suspects during investigations, maintaining that prolonged detention without court proceedings raises legal concerns.

Jawondu: “Generally speaking, they ought to have taken him to court because he has been detained for more than two weeks now. If they have reasons why he should not be granted bail, the court will consider them.

“Detention should not be punitive. We must create a level playing field when investigating crimes. Nobody should be too small or too big.”
On its part, the ADC has demanded the immediate release of El-Rufai.
According to National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, fighting corruption through corrupt means amounts to another form of corruption.

Abdullahi insisted that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria does not allow any citizen to be held “interminably” and therefore urged the ICPC to release the former governor.

He said, “The continued detention of Mallam El-Rufai is a brazen affront to the rule of law. Our Constitution does not allow any citizen to be held indefinitely. But this APC government doesn’t care about the rule of law or decency. To them, might is right.

“Fighting corruption through corrupt and corrupted means is the worst form of corruption. ICPC should release El-Rufai now.”

APC Working To Make Tinubu The Sole Presidential Candidate In 2027 – ADC Raises Alarm

Suleiman Anyalewechi

March 16, 2026

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has alleged a grand and orchestrated plot by some powerful forces to make President Bola Ahmed Tinubu the sole Presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections.

The opposition Coalition platform accused the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, of exacting pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to recognize the Nafiu Bala Gombe as the authentic National Chairman of the party as part of its plan to stop the opposition from contesting against the President.

The ADC national spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement on Monday March 16, 2026, alleged that some forces within the APC led by a sitting Governor, are presently trying all they could to foment crisis within the ADC, with a view to undermining its capacity to serve as a viable alternative to the much discredited APC and its Government.

This is as the ADC spokesperson emphasized that there is no legal basis to warrant the confusion and leadership crisis the APC is trying very hard to stoke within its rank.

According to him, Nigerian courts including the Supreme Court have longed established the Senator David Mark-led National Executive Committee, NEC, as the rightful leadership of the ADC.

Abdullahi noted that the Mark-led National leadership was unanimously affirmed after the July 2025 combined meeting of the National Working Committee NWC and the NEC which was also observed by the INEC.

He also referenced a March 6, 2026, Federal High Court ruling that affirmed the authenticity of the Senator Mark’s leadership based on a subsisting Supreme court ruling in April 2025 recognizing the right of political parties to determine issues bordering on their leadership.

The ADC National Publicity Secretary, however, vowed that the party is ever ready to deploy all lawful means available to resist the outrageous attempts by the APC-led Federal Government to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

According to Abdullahi, the latest brazen attempt to subvert democracy and undermine the opposition ahead of the 2027 polls is being marshalled by a serving APC Governor with the active collaboration of a senior security official based in Abuja.

The ultimate aim he alleged is to foist President Tinubu as the only qualified candidate during the election.

“At the centre of this scheme is Mr Nafiu Bala Gombe, an expelled member of the ADC who has recently been parading himself as a leader of the party, while collaborating with external interests .

“Mr Gombe, who once claimed to be the Deputy National Chairman under the former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, was duly expelled from the ADC after engaging in actions that were inconsistent with the party’s constitution, its principles, and the collective decisions of its leadership

“It is, therefore, shocking, though not surprising that some elements within the ruling establishment are now attempting to use him as a willing instrument of destabilisation, and plot to forcefully take over the leadership of the ADC.

“The objective is clear: to manufacture confusion within the ADC, sponsor illegitimate leadership claims, and ultimately cripple the only credible opposition platform that Nigerians are increasingly looking up to as a genuine alternative, thereby leaving Nigerians with no choice in the next general elections , despite widespread suffering that the ruling party has brought on the people”, the ADC statement reads in part.

The ADC expressed serious concern over the high level of desperation being exhibited by the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 polls

The party warned that the Nigerian democratic arrangement can not thrive under the situation where the ruling party seeks to capture, infiltrate or manufacture crises in opposition parties for its own political convenience and survival.

Troops Repel Attack On Maiduguri Northern City

Akinwale Kasali

March 16, 2026

By Akinwale Kasali

Nigerian Troops have repelled an attack on the Northern City of Maiduguri, Borno State, after suspected Jihadists launched an overnight attack on a Nigerian Military post.

The attack is the first in years in the capital of North Eastern Borno State.

This was confirmed by the Emergency Services and Residents.

Fighters from Boko Haram and rival Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, have recently stepped up attacks on military bases in northeast Nigeria, after its 16-year campaign to establish a caliphate in the country has killed more than 40,000 people and displaced around two million.

The attack occurred around midnight in the Ajilari Cross district, a southwestern suburb of Maiduguri and just a few kilometres (miles) from the city’s airport.

Residents and emergency services said the military quickly repelled the attackers.

Police spokesman, Nahum Kenneth, Daso posted on X a “foiled attack by suspected BH/ISWAP terrorists around Ajilari Cross” as he also confirmed a separate incident where security forces thwarted a “suspected terrorist attack” in Damboa local government area, south of Maiduguri.

Emergency services spokesman in Borno State said that they had received “reports of attacks” by non-state armed groups and that they were “repelled by the military”, with no civilian casualties reported.

Residents reported four deaths on the attackers’ side.

“At about 12:15 am this morning, we started hearing gunshots coming from the military base. Later, we realised it was an attack by insurgents believed to be Boko Haram”, he said.

President Tinubu Swears In Oyedele As Minister, Urges Wife To Support Him

Ayodele Oni

March 16, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu on Monday revealed that it didn’t take much time for him to decide where Taiwo Oyedele needs to be to further help with the economy.

The President spoke when he sworn in Oyedele, the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, as Minister of State for Finance, extolling his determination and dedication to duty.

President Tinubu, who spoke after the brief ceremony at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said the appointment was a vote of confidence in Mr Oyedele.

Special Adviser to the President on (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga in a statement, said the President extolled the new minister for his professionalism in coordinating the work of the Tax Reforms Committee.

He noted that Oyedele’s commitment and deep knowledge of tax policy played a critical role in shaping the reforms designed to simplify the tax system, expand the revenue base, and create a more business-friendly environment in Nigeria.

“We are very proud of your knowledge, your simplicity, ambition, and excellence. I congratulate your wife for standing up to our challenge of time management and long hours of absence.

“This is additional responsibility, and I hope you will encourage and support him,” President Tinubu told the wife of the new minister.

He, also, acknowledged Oyedele’s zeal, patience, and determination to serve his fatherland with courage.

“Thank you for accepting to serve your country, especially for reforming the entire tax policy of this country that was obsolete and fundamentally against every progressive thinking.

“You are a very dedicated and highly determined individual. It didn’t take much for me to decide where you fit and where you need to be to further help with the economy.

“It is a very challenging job because we look at the fiscal policy and responsibility that come with it at the time that economic stability is being experienced, but without exponential growth. It’s always very difficult, but you are fit to be there,” the President said.

Oyedele, from Ikaram, Akoko, Ondo State, is an economist, accountant and public policy expert.

He attended Yaba College of Technology, where he obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in accountancy and finance, and later attended Oxford Brookes University, where he earned a BSc in applied accounting.

He also completed executive education programmes at the London School of Economics, Yale University, the Gordon Institute of Business Science, and the Harvard Kennedy School.

Oyedele spent 22 years of his working career at PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), joining in 2001 and rising to become the Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader.

Oyedele is also a Professor at Babcock University in Ogun State and a visiting scholar at the Lagos Business School.

I Did My Best To Unravel The Fate of Ebonyi Missing NELAN Engineers – Works Minister, Umahi

Suleiman Anyalewechi

March 16, 2026

Dave Umahi - Works Minister — Engr. Dave Umahi

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, on Monday March 16, 2026, blamed the fate that befell the five NELAN Consulting Engineers on the fratricidal communal clashes that engulfed parts of Ebonyi state in 2021.

This is as he insisted that he did all he could as the then Governor of Ebonyi state to ensure the apprehension and subsequent prosecution of those suspected to be behind the abduction and death of the five Engineers ,as well as other victims of the communal clash between Effium and Ezza Effium.

Umahi’s response is coming against the backdrop of the protest match staged early Monday morning by wives, relations and friends of the missing engineers at the Abuja headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Works.

The protesting family members expressed their disappointment with what they perceived as the non-challant disposition of Senator Umahi towards resolving the riddle surrounding the fate of their loved ones.

They accused the authorities of paying a lip-service to the quest to unravel the actual circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the five engineers.

It will be recalled that the five engineers who were working on a link road project within Ebonyi State suddenly went missing on November 3, 2021.

However, they were reported to have been killed by their abductors’ a few days later by both the police and Ebonyi State authorities.

In a statement issued by Francis Nweze, his spokesperson, Minister Umahi informed that some suspects arrested in connection with the disappearance and death of the engineers are currently facing prosecution in Court.

While describing the incident as painful, the Works Minister appealed for calm and understanding while the matter is being handled by the judiciary.

“The death of the NELAN engineers remains a painful tragedy. No family deserves such grief and the Honourable Minister understands the weight of that loss.

“The unfortunate disappearance of the engineers occurred at the height of the violent Effium vs Ezza Effium communal conflict, a crisis that consumed lives and properties, and threw the area into severe insecurity”, Umahi stated.

The engineers were said to have been abducted by combatants in the Effium and Ezza Effium internecine clashes.

However, Umahi emphasized that as the Governor, he did all he could to salvage the situation, noting that the victims were not singled out, but were regrettably cut in the cross fire alongside several others.

“Iimmediately the information about the incident reached the then Governor of Ebonyi state Senator David Umahi ,he swiftly mobilised security agencies and launched intensive search and investigative efforts to determine the whereabouts of the engineers and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“Those efforts led to the arrest of individuals involved in the dastardly act. Those arrested confessed to committing the crime, and they have remained in custody since then. The matter is still before the Court.

“It must, therefore, be clearly understood that the Government under Senator Umahi did not abandon the matter, suppress it, or failed to act”, the statement reads in part.

El-Rufai: ICPC Seeks Another Extension Of Court Remand Order

Suleiman Anyalewechi

March 16, 2026

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

A Bwari Chief Magistrate court will on Tuesday March 17, 2026, rule to determine whether to extend for the second time the order granted to the Independent Corrupt Practices, and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, to remand former Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir.

The Source reports that El-Rufai who is facing inter-agency investigations on multiple charges bordering on alleged money laundering, diversion of public funds, and security related Offences has been in the custody of the ICPC since February 18, 2026, when he was granted bail by a sister agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The presiding Magistrate, His Worship Okechukwu John Akweke, had first granted the ICPC a 14-day remand order on February 19, 2026, which elapsed on March 5, 2026.

However, following widespread indignation and condemnation of the continued detention of El-Rufai, a chieftain of the opposition coalition platform, the African Democratic Congress, ADC, the anti-graft Commission was granted a second 14-day remand order which will run out on Friday March 19, 2026.

But with the second remand order a few days to expire, the ICPC has again approached the same court seeking a further extension to the remand order .

Amidst strident criticisms both from family, political associates ,and concerned individuals and groups over El-Rufai’s continued incarceration without trial, the anti-graft Commission has denied any wrong doing.

The Commission said its demand for an extension to the remand order is in tandem with extant laws of the land, insisting that the order is necessary to enable it conclude its investigations into allegations of corruption practices against the former Kaduna State Governor.

The ICPC further noted that the remand order is subject to the renewal based on the discretion of the Court.

However, there have been growing insinuations suggesting that the EFCC and the ICPC are allegedly working in concert to keep El-Rufai in custody till April 23,2026 , when he is due for arraignment by the Department of State Service, DSS, over alleged wire-tapping of the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser NSA.

Plateau Constitutes Advisory Committee On State Police

Ayodele Oni

March 16, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

Preparatory to the take off of State Police, Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, has constituted the State Advisory Committee to midwife the project.

The governor has also approved the appointment of Olawale Fapohunda, SAN as the Legal and Policy Adviser to the advisory committee.

Fapohunda, is a two term Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ekiti State.

President Bola Tinubu had announced that State Police would come on stream this year and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Tunji Disu has set up a committee to work on it.

This appointment is part of the Governor’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the State’s ecurity architecture and align with the national directive for decentralized policing.

The committee, which has been inaugurated by the Governor, is chaired by DIG Habila Joshak (Rtd) and includes a distinguished team of security experts, scholars, and policy practitioners.

The Committee’s mandate include : Review the ongoing 1999 Constitution amendments, the Police Act 2020, and other relevant laws to create a draft ‘Plateau State Police Service Law’ that defines the scope, authority, and limitations of the state police.

“Design the organizational structure of the Plateau State Police, including command hierarchy, interaction with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and jurisdictional boundaries (e.g., local government policing).

” Develop a transparent recruitment policy emphasizing local knowledge and gender inclusion, and design training curricula focusing on intelligence-led policing, human rights, and community policing.

“Propose a sustainable, transparent funding mechanism for the state police that is insulated from political interference to ensure independence.

“Create a robust, independent, and transparent oversight mechanism (e.g., a State Police Service Commission) to investigate misconduct, ensure accountability, and prevent abuse of power.

“Establish protocols for synergy between the state police, traditional institutions, community leaders, and federal security agencies to ensure a unified approach to security.

“Organize public hearings across the 17 Local Government Areas of Plateau State to gather inputs from community leaders, religious leaders, security experts, and civil society to build public trust and buy-in.

“Provide a phased, time-bound implementation strategy for the establishment of the force, including pilot phases.”

“The governor explained that “the appointment of Olawale Fapohunda SAN underscores our commitment to ensuring that the transition toward state policing is guided by the highest standards of legal and policy expertise.

“His deep understanding of constitutional law and justice sector reform will be valuable as we work to build a safer and more secure Plateau State.

“Fapohunda SAN will work closely with the committee to ensure that the proposed framework for the Plateau State Police Service is robust, operationally viable, and respects the fundamental rights of all citizens living on the Plateau.”

Governor Mutfwang reaffirmed that security remains a top priority of his administration, noting that the Administration of Justice Sector Reforms embarked upon by his administration are essential to addressing crime, safety and security challenges and ensuring the long-term prosperity of the state.

Passengers Injured In An Abuja Bound Train Accident

Ayodele Oni

March 16, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

An Abuja bound train was involved in an accident Monday, leaving several passengers with various degrees of injuries.

The accident forced the train, which took off from Kaduna, to halt operation midway through its journey.

The passenger train, travelling from Kaduna to Abuja, failed to reach its destination as scheduled after the disruption occurred along the busy rail line connecting the Federal Capital Territory with Kaduna State.

Passengers on board explained that the incident occurred suddenly, sending shock and panic through the coaches as the train came to an abrupt halt.

Some passengers reported hearing a loud bang before the train jolted violently, throwing several occupants off their seats and causing confusion inside the coaches.

According to eyewitness accounts, the Abuja-bound train was likely going to collide with another train along the corridor, forcing rail operations to stop temporarily while the situation was assessed.

It was gathered that several passengers were injured, with some reportedly sustaining cuts and bruises after being flung against seats and metal fittings inside the train compartments.

A social media user, Sada Malumfashi, who claimed to have been among the passengers, described the frightening moment shortly after disembarking from the train, explaining that the sudden jolt caught many people unprepared.

The passenger wrote on his X account that the train remained stationary for about 30 minutes before the journey resumed slowly toward Kubwa, an area on the outskirts of Abuja.

He said, “Just dropped from the Kaduna-Abuja train. We heard a loud bang, and the train jolted to a stop, flinging people across.

“Passengers got hit, and most are bleeding and severely injured. The train was delayed for some 30 minutes and resumed to Kubwa. No communication from @info_NRC on anything.”

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Callistus Unyimadu, confirmed the development and stated that an official statement would be released regarding the incident.

Mohammed, PDP Governors Forum Chair Not Defecting To APC – Turaki-led Leadership Insists

Suleiman Anyalewechi

March 16, 2026

Bala Mohammed - Governor of Bauchi State — Governor Bala Mohammad

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Taminu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic party, PDP, has debunked claims suggesting that the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed is set to dump the party.

The Source reports that speculations have been rife in the last 48 hours linking Governor Mohammed, who is the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum to a move to the All Progressive Congress APC.

The PDP which had about 13 Governors in its fold post 2023 general elections has seen its fortunes plummet with eleven of the Governors defecting to the APC.

Hope of a reprieve was dashed last week following a Court of Appeal verdict that invalidated the controversial Ibadan National Convention of the party ,where the Tanimu Turaki-led National Executive Council was birthed.

The Appellate Court’s judgment which had, in the main, precipitated a renewed wave of defections of PDP chieftains across the 36 states of the country, apart from driving the exit of Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, has accentuated speculations regarding the defection of Governor Mohammad.

According to reports, the planned defection of the Bauchi State Governor is almost a done deal, with Tuesday March 17,2026 touted as the possible date of exit .

But speaking on the issue to the media, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the national spokesperson for the Turaki-led faction described the claims of an imminent defection of the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum as a mere rumour.

According to him , Governor Mohammed has assured the Turaki-led PDP leadership of his continued loyalty to the party.

“What we know is that he ( Governor Bala Mohammad) has told us that he is still with us. Even up till this morning (yesterday) when he held conversations with our national chairman, he insisted that he is still with us.

“He has said it at several quarters that he is comfortable in the party. So, we don’t know where the rumours are coming from. Only time will tell. But what we know is that he has told us that he is with us” Ememobong stated .

The PDP spokesperson reaffirmed the willingness of the party to explore peaceful resolution of the leadership and internal crises bedeviling the party .

He assured that both factions are currently working out modalities for a true reconciliation as brokered by stakeholders of the party.

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