The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

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  • Falana Demands Accountability Over ₦15tn Coastal Highway, Warns Against Voter Intimidation

    Falana Demands Accountability Over ₦15tn Coastal Highway, Warns Against Voter Intimidation

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has called on Nigerians to demand explanations from the Federal Government over the estimated ₦15tn cost of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, raising concerns about reported changes to the project’s route.

    Falana also urged political parties and candidates in Lagos State to work together to prevent electoral violence and voter suppression ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    He made the remarks at a public event in a video shared by News Central TV on Monday.

    Questioning the reported route changes, the lawyer argued that the project, initially planned as a coastal highway, appeared to be extending inland in some sections.

    “The road, coastal road has now become land road, I’m sure you are aware,” Falana said.

    He questioned the rationale behind the reported realignment and called on the government to explain how the funds allocated to the project would be spent.

    “What I’m saying is that, after Ogun State, they now said they are going from Edo to go by land, because they can’t fund it. Again, we must now ask questions: What are the 15 trillion naira earmarked for that road?” he asked.

    Falana said public scrutiny was necessary to ensure that government officials accounted for the use of public funds.

    The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a major infrastructure project of the President Bola Tinubu administration, designed to link Lagos with Calabar, Cross River State, along Nigeria’s southern corridor. Its estimated cost, funding and route have generated public debate.

    Beyond the highway project, Falana expressed concern about the possibility of violence and intimidation during the 2027 elections, particularly in Lagos State.

    He urged candidates across political parties to establish a common platform to protect voters and ensure eligible citizens could exercise their constitutional rights.

    “Let me now warn the candidates: Going by what happened during the last election, violence will be introduced. Many people will not be allowed to vote, unless you guys are ready to form, regardless of your political parties, to form a group that will defend the vote of everybody in Lagos,” he said.

    The lawyer warned against using ethnicity or perceived place of origin to deny people the opportunity to vote.

    “We didn’t fight for this rickety democracy, that somebody will look at your face: ‘Oh, you should not vote in this country,’” he said.

    Falana alleged that politicians unable to win elections could resort to thuggery and violence, urging candidates to defend the voting rights of all eligible residents regardless of their ethnic background.

    “And I want to beg you, if you are ready to defend the vote of everybody, and it’s very important, because those who cannot win elections, resort to violence, thuggery, where you come from, that you don’t look like a Yoruba man, therefore you must not vote. In Lagos, in Nigeria, that must not be allowed,” he added.

  • US Threatens to Restrict Military Aid to Nigeria Over Child Soldier Allegations

    The United States of America has placed Nigeria on its Child Soldiers Prevention Act blacklist, saying the designation could lead to cuts in military training, weapons sales, foreign military financing, and defence cooperation from October 1, 2026, unless President Donald Trump issues a waiver.

    This came after the State Department’s 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report cited the continued recruitment and use of children by Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa on Nigerian soil.

    The report, published on October 11 and obtained by The PUNCH on Monday, covers April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026 and is the latest available assessment of Nigeria’s anti-trafficking performance by the US State Department.

    It placed Nigeria on a list of 14 nations, including Russia, Iran, South Sudan, and Somalia, that are accused of recruiting or using child soldiers.

    The report also revealed that the country’s anti-trafficking performance failed to meet minimum standards for the 15th consecutive year.

    “Governments identified on the list are subject to restrictions, in the following fiscal year, on certain security assistance and commercial licensing of military equipment.

    “The CSPA prohibits assistance to governments that are identified in the list under the following authorities: International Military Education and Training, Foreign Military Financing, Excess Defence Articles, and Peacekeeping Operations, with exceptions for some programs undertaken pursuant to the Peacekeeping Operations authority.

    “The CSPA also prohibits the issuance of licenses for direct commercial sales of military equipment to such governments. Beginning October 1, 2026, and effective throughout Fiscal Year 2026, these restrictions will apply to the listed countries, absent a presidential waiver, applicable exception, or reinstatement of assistance pursuant to the terms of the CSPA,” the report read.

    It said the determination to include a government in the CSPA list is “informed by a range of sources, including first-hand observation by U.S. government personnel and research and credible reporting from various UN entities, international organisations, local and international NGOs, and international and domestic media outlets.”

    The blacklisting comes amid an ongoing US-Nigeria security partnership after the Trump administration deployed Navy SEAL Team 6 alongside Nigerian forces for joint counterterrorism operations in the northeast and formalised the bilateral 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap.

    According to the report, not a single government official was prosecuted for state complicity in trafficking despite acknowledged corruption, even as the number of trafficking victims who received government assistance collapsed from 2,058 the previous year to just 675.

    The CSPA listing, if not waived by a sitting US president, could restrict International Military Education and Training, Foreign Military Financing, Excess Defence Articles, peacekeeping assistance, and licences for direct commercial sales of military equipment to Nigeria, the document said.

    It stated, “The government did not report any investigations, prosecutions, or convictions of government employees allegedly complicit in trafficking crimes or provide details or other actions taken against complicit officials from previous years,” adding that “corruption and official complicity in trafficking crimes remained significant concerns.”

    The report further noted that “observers reported some law enforcement, military, and other government officials reportedly committed trafficking crimes, accepted bribes to facilitate trafficking, or obstructed justice by interfering with investigations.”

    On law enforcement, it said Nigerian authorities investigated 1,341 trafficking cases, comprising 589 sex trafficking cases, 301 forced labour cases, and 451 unspecified cases, involving 1,367 suspects. Of those, 94 were prosecuted and 97 traffickers convicted.

    The US acknowledged that “the majority of those convicted received prison sentences of at least one year” and that “officials increased collaboration with foreign governments on international trafficking investigations,” resulting in operations across West Africa and Southeast Asia in partnership with INTERPOL.

    It said although 2,004 people were identified as trafficking victims, comprising 893 sex trafficking and 1,111 forced labour, only 675 received government-supported assistance during the year, against 2,058 the prior period.

    The report criticised shelter conditions at the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, noting that NAPTIP’s closed-shelter policy meant “residents were not allowed freedom of movement, including children’s access to school,” and that “access to some protection services was tied to victims’ willingness to cooperate with law enforcement proceedings.”

    It noted that adult victims who declined shelter were not provided alternative services, and that “only one dedicated NGO shelter was available for adult male trafficking survivors.”

    On the Child Soldiers Prevention Act listing, the report identified Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa as the entities responsible for child recruitment.

    “Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa continue recruiting, abducting, and using—including through force, fraud, and coercion—child soldiers as young as 12 years old as cooks, domestic workers, spies, porters, messengers, bodyguards or guards at checkpoints, “morality police,” armed combatants, and suicide bombers in attacks in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger; these children are subjected to physical and sexual abuse and forced drug use.

    “These non-state armed groups continue to abduct women and girls in the northern regions of Nigeria, many of whom they exploit in forced labour, including in domestic servitude, and in sexual slavery. Boko Haram has kidnapped and subjected thousands of women and girls to forced marriage, including for sexual slavery and forced labour; Boko Haram punishes girls, including for refusing to marry, by forcing them to be suicide bombers.

    “In many cases, the government coerces victims of forced marriage, including trafficking victims, to return to their Boko Haram husbands in Borno State demobilisation centres. Criminal gangs in the south recruit and use children in forced criminality, including kidnappings and robberies, and exploit them in sex trafficking. Criminal gangs in the northwest also exploit victims in forced labour in agriculture and mining,” the report stated.

    It said the CSPA listing, under US law, could restrict International Military Education and Training, Foreign Military Financing, Excess Defence Articles, peacekeeping assistance, and licences for direct commercial sales of military equipment, restrictions effective from October 1, subject to a presidential waiver.

    On labour trafficking, the report said the government “did not prohibit worker-paid recruitment fees…did not report holding labour recruiters liable civilly and criminally for fraudulent recruitment,” and “did not provide specialised training on child labour and human trafficking to labour inspectors.”

    It added that “the government did not provide anti-trafficking training to its diplomatic personnel.”

    The report also cited international criminal networks using Nigeria as an arena, saying “highly organised foreign criminal syndicates fraudulently recruit foreigners to Nigeria with promises of employment, confine them in leased properties and compel them to participate in organised online scams.”

    The TIP report also alleged that “Russian authorities fraudulently recruit and use Nigerians to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war” and that Nigeria’s Ministry of Education “helped promote” Russia’s Alabuga Start programme “despite warning signs.”

    It raised concern that “North Korean nationals working in Nigeria may be operating under exploitative conditions displaying indicators of forced labour.”

    On baby factories, which are criminal enterprises disguised as orphanages, maternity homes, or religious centres where women are held against their will, raped, and forced to deliver children who are subsequently sold, the report described the operations as a documented feature of Nigeria’s trafficking landscape, concentrated predominantly in the south.

    Despite the concerns, the US government acknowledged Nigeria’s increased allocations, including victim service funding, which rose from N128m to N233m, while prevention spending jumped from N58.8m to N245m.

    It also noted that the government coordinated the repatriation of 428 Nigerians exploited abroad, secured restitution for 14 victims as part of criminal sentences, and maintained anti-trafficking task forces in 23 states.

    Nigeria, a source, transit, and destination country for trafficking, last attained the top Tier 1 ranking in 2011.

    Its status has fluctuated between Tier 1, Tier 2, and the lower Tier 2 Watch List over the annual report’s 25-year history.

    Countries in the 2026 CSPA listing include Afghanistan, Myanmar, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Iran, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Venezuela, Yemen, and two others in a group the US considers the most consequential offenders in child soldier recruitment globally.

    When contacted for comments, NAPTIP’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Vincent Adekoye, said the agency would make its response to the report public.

    Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, did not respond to calls to his mobile line and a text message seeking the Presidency’s comments. Punch

  • Senator Kalu Insists SEDC Must Operate From South-East

    The Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South-East Development Commission, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has urged the management of the commission to relocate its operations to the South-East, insisting that it must be based in the region it was established to serve.

    Kalu gave the warning on Monday during an oversight visit to projects being executed by the South-East Development Commission in Enugu State.

    The senator, who represents Abia North Senatorial District, said the commission must ensure that its activities and interventions reached communities across the five South-East states rather than operating from Abuja.

    He, however, expressed satisfaction with the progress made on the commission’s headquarters in Enugu, commending the management for improvements recorded since the committee’s previous engagements.

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    Kalu said the committee had inspected two facilities during the visit: the commission’s current office and another building provided by the Enugu State Government, which is being completed for its use.

    He said the development had addressed some of the committee’s earlier concerns about the commission’s decision to operate from Abuja rather than the South-East.

    “We were quarrelling about our office being in Abuja. Today, we have seen two offices, one where they are staying and the one they are completing, which the government of Enugu State gave them.

    “So, we are very impressed. Once they are back home to do what they are sent to do, nobody has problems with them,” Kalu said.

    He urged the management to sustain the progress recorded ahead of another oversight visit scheduled for December.

    “Well, so far, we are making very good progress, unlike when we started. I’m sure you, both me and my colleagues, are seeing very serious progress. I hope that the Commission, especially the management team, sustains this progress.

    “We will be here in December to see the progress so far. We are happy now that something is going on. We also want them to go to the grassroots to show the South Eastern people that they are on the ground,” he said.

    The lawmaker reiterated that the commission must operate from the region, warning against using Abuja as its operational base at the expense of the communities it was established to serve.

    “The only problem that I said before, and I repeat, is that they cannot operate from Abuja. They must operate from where they are set up. This is where they are located.

    “Our quarrel before was about being in Abuja and not being in Enugu. So that quarrel is over now,” he added.

    The South-East Development Commission was established to promote development and address infrastructure and other developmental challenges across the region.

    Kalu urged the commission to ensure that its projects and interventions extended beyond its headquarters to communities across the five states, stressing that residents needed to see tangible results at the grassroots.

    Although he acknowledged that the commission was relatively new, he said its management must sustain the progress recorded and demonstrate its commitment to its mandate. Punch

  • FG’s Charges Against Fake PFIPC Director General Struck Out By Court

    The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday struck out the eight-count criminal charge filed by the Federal Government against the alleged fake Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, Adeniyi Adeyemi.

    Justice Mohammed Garba Umar struck out the charge following an application by the Federal Government, which said Adeyemi would be transferred to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory for fresh arraignment.

    At Monday’s proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, moved the application seeking the termination of the case.

    Oyedepo told the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice had reviewed Adeyemi’s case file and the charge initially filed by the Inspector-General of Police, identifying some loopholes.

    He said the documents allegedly forged by Adeyemi while operating the purported agency constituted offences that could be prosecuted by the FCT High Court rather than the Federal High Court.

    The DPPF added that a fresh charge had been filed before the FCT High Court and that Adeyemi would be arraigned afresh without delay.

    He urged the judge to strike out the charge in accordance with the law.

    Counsel for Adeyemi, Ibrahim Angulu, SAN, did not oppose the application, following which Justice Umar struck out the charge.

    Adeyemi, 38, was being tried in a case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2025 alongside two other defendants, whose whereabouts were unknown, on charges bordering on conspiracy and forgery.

    The two defendants said to be at large were identified as Femi, whose surname was unknown, and Anu, who was also identified without a surname. Punch

  • Court Dismisses Euracare’s Bid To Stop Inquest Into Adichie’s Son’s Death

    Court Dismisses Euracare’s Bid To Stop Inquest Into Adichie’s Son’s Death

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Lagos State High Court sitting in Osborne Foreshore, Ikoyi, has struck out an application by Eurapharma Care Services Nigeria Limited, operators of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, seeking to halt the coroner’s inquest into the death of Nkanu Esege, son of Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

    Justice Aishat Opesanwo struck out the application on Monday after rejecting the hospital’s arguments that the cremation of the deceased’s body deprived the coroner of jurisdiction and that the procedure for receiving evidence breached its right to a fair hearing.

    The judge held that the inquest was a statutory requirement and that the absence of the body did not automatically prevent the coroner from investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.

    Nkanu died on January 7, 2026, following medical procedures, prompting an inquiry into the circumstances of his death.

    In its application, Euracare argued that the cremation of the body meant a post-mortem examination could no longer be conducted. The hospital also challenged the coroner’s decision to receive statements and evidence from medical personnel and other individuals connected to the facilities where the deceased received treatment.

    However, Justice Opesanwo held that the hospital had failed to establish that the conditions required to empower the coroner to conduct the inquest under Section 15 of the Coroners System Law of Lagos State 2007 were absent.

    The judge explained that the law required an inquest to be conducted where a death fell within any of the specified circumstances and occurred within the relevant coroner’s district.

    “The provision gives no room for exercise of discretion in the decision to conduct an inquest once a death results from any one of the nine situations specified, and that it occurs within the area designated as the coroner’s district,” she said.

    According to the judge, the hospital’s argument focused on the location of the deceased’s body rather than the circumstances that originally gave the coroner jurisdiction to conduct the inquiry.

    She noted that the law did not require the body to remain within the coroner’s district on the date the inquest was held.

    Justice Opesanwo also rejected the hospital’s contention that cremation would make the proceedings speculative and undermine the reliability of the findings.

    “I am not persuaded by the submission made by the applicant’s counsel that the cremation of the body means the inquest and its conclusion will be predicated on speculation and conjecture,” she said.

    The judge further observed that the inquest had not formally commenced, describing the hospital’s concerns about its eventual outcome as premature.

    “What is obvious is that the applicant is concerned with future occurrences, which is the outcome of the inquest,” she added.

    Explaining the purpose of the proceedings, Justice Opesanwo said a coroner’s inquest was a fact-finding exercise aimed at establishing the identity of the deceased, as well as when, where and how the death occurred.

    “It is not a trial; no one is on trial in a coroner’s court,” she said, stressing that the process was inquisitorial rather than adversarial.

    She added that the inquest was not intended to assign blame or punish any party but to establish the facts surrounding the death.

    On the hospital’s objection to the order in which evidence would be received, the judge held that the coroner had the discretion to determine the sequence of statements and evidence presented during the proceedings.

    She said disagreement with the order adopted by the coroner did not, by itself, amount to a breach of fair hearing or invalidate the exercise of that discretion.

    The judge also noted that the evidentiary and procedural rules governing ordinary civil proceedings did not apply in precisely the same way to a coroner’s inquest.

    Justice Opesanwo concluded that the hospital’s application rested on a misunderstanding of the nature and purpose of the inquiry. She upheld the preliminary objections raised by the respondents and struck out the substantive application.

  • CJN Swears In 68 New Senior Advocates Of Nigeria

    Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has sworn in 68 legal practitioners as Senior Advocates of Nigeria at the 2026/2027 Legal Year ceremony.

    The Nigerian Television Authority announced the development in a news flash on its official X handle on Monday, sharing images and a video from the ceremony.

    The swearing-in follows the approval of the 68 nominees by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee about three months ago.

    The committee approved their elevation during its 174th plenary session, chaired by Kekere-Ekun.

    According to a statement issued by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and Secretary of the LPPC, Kabir Eniola, the new SANs comprise 67 advocates and one academic, Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri, Tribune also reports

    Obiaraeri was recognised for his “contributions to legal scholarship, making him the only academic among the 68 recipients.”

    The rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is one of the highest professional distinctions in the country’s legal sector.

    It is conferred on legal practitioners who meet the required standards of professional achievement in advocacy or legal scholarship.

    Before the conferment, the LPPC “stipulated that successful applicants must participate in and complete a mandatory induction programme, with the date to be announced later.”

    The committee also reminded the newly elevated SANs to comply with paragraph 25(1) of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Guidelines and Rule 39(3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, 2023.

    It warned against “publishing or encouraging advertisements, congratulatory messages or goodwill notices concerning their nomination or conferment, adding that violations could attract sanctions.”

    A cross section of the new SANs taking their oath | NTA video

    Tosin Oyediran is a journalist with Punch Newspapers, bringing over eight years of newsroom experience to his coverage of politics, health, advocacy, sports, and entertainment. Known for sharp interviews and human-centered reporting, his work focuses on public accountability, civic issues, and the stories shaping everyday lives. Punch

  • FG Approves Increase In NYSC Corps Members’ Feeding Budget

    FG Approves Increase In NYSC Corps Members’ Feeding Budget

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Federal Government has approved an increase in the feeding allocation for members of the National Youth Service Corps during their orientation course, with implementation expected to begin in 2027.

    The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, disclosed this while interacting with members of the 2026 Batch C Stream One at the Cross River State Orientation Camp in Obubra.

    Nafiu said the Budget Office had been notified of the upward review, adding that the new allocation was expected to take effect next year.

    He also urged corps members to manage their finances responsibly, avoid unnecessary spending and develop a habit of saving.

    The NYSC chief commended Nigerian youths for their resilience and commitment to the national service programme.

    On safety, Nafiu advised corps members to avoid travelling after 6pm, recommending that those who cannot complete their journeys before then should find a safe place to stay overnight and continue the following day.

    He warned them against sleeping in public places or gathering at filling stations, noting that such practices could expose them to security risks.

    The director-general advised corps members facing security concerns while travelling to seek assistance at military installations, police stations or Department of State Services offices and contact the NYSC hotline.

    Nafiu also pledged to intensify engagement with relevant stakeholders to improve infrastructure at the Obubra Orientation Camp.

    He encouraged corps members to acquire practical skills that could improve their employment prospects and provide opportunities for self-employment after completing their service.

    He specifically mentioned cosmetology, traditional hairstyling and other vocational skills as areas they could explore.

    Earlier, the NYSC Cross River State Coordinator, Mrs Adejoke Oyenuga, described the director-general’s visit as evidence of the scheme’s commitment to the welfare of corps members.

    Oyenuga disclosed that 1,064 corps members had registered at the camp, adding that they had adapted successfully to the structured orientation programme.

  • Enugu Governor’s Aide, Lucky Chukwu, Dies

    Enugu Governor’s Aide, Lucky Chukwu, Dies

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Hon. Chief Barrister Lucky Chukwu, Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, has died.

    His death was announced in October 2026 by the office of his younger brother, Senator Kelvin Chukwu, who represents Enugu East Senatorial District.

    Lucky Chukwu was an elder brother of the late Labour Party senatorial candidate, Oyibo Chukwu, and Senator Kelvin Chukwu, a former member of the Enugu State House of Assembly.

    He was appointed Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to Governor Mbah in August 2026, having previously been involved in political activities in the state.

    Following his elder brother’s death, Senator Kelvin Chukwu suspended his political activities and engagements for one week to mourn the loss.

    The senator’s office announced the temporary suspension in a statement issued on October 11, 2026.

    The death is another loss for the Chukwu family, which had earlier lost Oyibo Chukwu, who was the Labour Party’s candidate for the Enugu East Senatorial District in the 2023 general election before he was assassinated during the campaign.

    Following Oyibo Chukwu’s death, Kelvin Chukwu emerged as the Labour Party’s replacement candidate and went on to win the senatorial election.

  • Army, Anambra Honour First African UN Military Adviser at Funeral

    The Nigerian Army and the Anambra State Government have paid their final respects to retired Lieutenant General Chikaidibia Isaac Obiakor, the first African to serve as the United Nations Military Adviser for Peacekeeping Operations, describing him as an accomplished officer whose contributions to Nigeria and international peace efforts would remain indelible.

    The burial ceremony took place on October 9, 2026, at Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, Anambra State, with senior military officers, government officials, family members and other dignitaries in attendance.

    The ceremony followed a Service of Songs held on October 8 at the late general’s country home, culminating in his burial with full military honours.

    Delivering an oration on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Major General T.E. Gagariga described Obiakor as ‘an exceptional officer whose personality, professionalism and leadership earned him respect across the Armed Forces.’

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    According to a statement on X issued on Sundays by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, Shaibu described the late general as “a pleasant, confident, and extraordinary officer whose personality earned him respect and admiration across the Armed Forces.”

    The Chief of Army Staff also praised Obiakor’s professional competence, analytical ability and commitment to achieving results, noting that these qualities shaped his leadership and influenced the commands under his supervision.

    He described the late officer as articulate, resourceful and creative, adding that his professional qualities fostered a strong work ethic throughout his military career.

    Obiakor held several strategic appointments during his service in the Nigerian Army, including Commander of 34 Artillery Brigade, Commander of 32 Field Artillery Brigade, Directing Staff at the National War College, Deputy Commandant of the Headquarters Nigeria Corps of Artillery and School, Chief of Administration, Nigerian Army, Commander of the Headquarters Nigeria Corps of Artillery, and General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army.

    Shaibu described his death as a profound loss to his family, the Nigerian Army and the nation.

    Also paying tribute, Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, described Obiakor as a distinguished son of the state and a role model for younger generations.

    Soludo called on young people to draw inspiration from the late general’s career and consider military service as a noble means of contributing to national development.

    The governor described Obiakor as “a proud son of Anambra and a role model for the Igbo nation,” urging youths to emulate his example by joining the Armed Forces.

    Earlier, during the Service of Songs, the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Major General O.A. Fadairo, conveyed the condolences of the Chief of Army Staff and the Nigerian Army to the bereaved family.

    Fadairo described Obiakor as “a gallant, disciplined, and accomplished General whose legacy will remain indelible.”

    The burial attracted serving and retired military officers, government representatives and other prominent personalities from across the country.

    Among those in attendance were Governor Soludo; representatives of the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Army Staff; former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General O.A. Ihejirika (rtd.); Corps Commander Artillery, Major General J.O. Adeyemo; Major General O.G. Onubogu; Major General O.A. Fadairo; and the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General O.O. Nafiu.

    Military traditions were observed during the ceremony, including the presentation of the national flag and military accoutrements to the next of kin, as well as the symbolic presentation of a condolence letter.

    The Nigerian Army said the ceremony reflected its commitment to honouring officers who had served the country and to preserving their legacies for future generations.

    Obiakor’s burial marked the end of a distinguished military career that included several command and administrative appointments, as well as service in international peacekeeping efforts. Punch

  • ENUGU CP ORDERS PROBE OF ALLEGED SHOOTING AT NDC SECRETARIAT

    ENUGU CP ORDERS PROBE OF ALLEGED SHOOTING AT NDC SECRETARIAT

    ENUGU STATE POLICE COMMAND

    PRESS RELEASE

    ENUGU CP ORDERS PROBE OF ALLEGED SHOOTING AT NDC SECRETARIAT, AS JOINT SECURITY OPERATIVES DISPERSE RIOTOUS PARTY MEMBERS AT AIRPORT ENTRANCE

    The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, psc, mspsp, smicm, has ordered a thorough investigation into an alleged shooting by unidentified armed hoodlums in front of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) secretariat in Enugu on 10th October 2026, at about 2:30 p.m. The incident reportedly left a man repairing a vehicle parked along the road with a suspected gunshot injury and resulted in damage to the windscreens of five parked vehicles.

    Upon receiving a distress report, Police operatives promptly moved to the scene, restored normalcy and rushed the injured victim to a hospital, where he is receiving treatment and is reported to be in stable condition. The CP has directed the State CID to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

    In a separate incident at about 11:30 a.m. on the same day, joint Police and military operatives dispersed suspected NDC members who gathered in a disorderly manner at the entrance to Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. Preliminary findings indicate that airport authorities restricted the party members from entering the airport in large numbers to receive their governorship candidate. A misunderstanding reportedly arose among the party members and escalated into a fight, prompting the intervention of the joint security operatives.

    The Commissioner of Police has reiterated the need for political parties and their members to shun violence and conduct their activities in accordance with the law and existing peace accords. He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to providing a level playing field for all political parties and urged them to notify the Police of their planned activities to facilitate adequate security arrangements.

    SP DANIEL NDUKWE, mnipr, mnisma
    Police Public Relations Officer
    Enugu State Command
    State Headquarters
    GRA, Enugu
    11th October, 2026

  • UK Inquest Rules Deaths of Three Nigerian Sisters Who Drowned at Sea Suicides

    Three Nigerian sisters who drowned in UK sea took own lives – Inquest Rules

    Three Nigerian sisters who drowned in the sea off Brighton, southern England, have been ruled to have taken their own lives following an inquest into their deaths.

    The sisters, Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, lived together in Greenford, west London. They had become increasingly withdrawn following the death of their mother in 2010.

    The inquest heard that the sisters visited an area of Birmingham close to where their mother died on May 11 before travelling to Brighton the following day.

    According to BBC, they were later seen on the town’s eastern seafront in the early hours of May 13, when they entered the sea in difficult conditions. None of the sisters could swim.

    Their father, Joseph Jacobsen, described the loss of his three daughters as heartbreaking.

    Coroner Penelope Schofield said the court could not speculate on the reasons behind the sisters’ actions.

    Evidence presented at the inquest showed that a taxi carrying the sisters arrived in Brighton at 10.21pm on May 12. The driver reportedly noticed that they were quiet during the journey.

    Closed-circuit television footage later showed the sisters on Brighton’s eastern seafront. They were last seen alive at 2.42am on May 13.

    The inquest also heard that police examining Christina’s laptop found 227 references to water and 179 references to suicide. Christina had reportedly experienced anxiety and depression following their mother’s death.

    Rebecca’s medical records contained no significant information relevant to the inquest, while Jane was not registered with a doctor.

    Toxicology tests found no evidence of drugs or alcohol in the sisters’ systems, and investigators found no evidence of violence.

    Jane was brought ashore by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and pronounced dead. Christina was recovered by an RNLI lifeboat, while Rebecca’s body was later washed ashore. Both were pronounced dead by paramedics.

    The inquest examined the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the sisters’ movements in the hours before they entered the water. Vanguard

  • FG Prioritises Local Solar Manufacturing Before Import Restrictions

    FG Prioritises Local Solar Manufacturing Before Import Restrictions

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Federal Government has begun efforts to expand Nigeria’s solar panel manufacturing capacity before considering restrictions on imports, as part of plans to promote local production and make renewable energy more affordable.

    The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, said the government was engaging foreign manufacturers and potential investors to establish solar panel production facilities in the country.

    Speaking during a media briefing, Udeh said Nigeria must develop the capacity to manufacture solar panels locally before considering a ban on imported products.

    “You can’t ban importation of solar panels if you do not have manufacturing capabilities in the country,” the minister said.

    The Solar Power Nigeria Campaign and the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) welcomed the approach, warning that restricting imports before domestic manufacturers could meet local demand might increase prices and limit access to solar energy.

    The organisations said households, businesses and public institutions increasingly depended on solar power to supplement unreliable electricity supply and reduce their reliance on petrol and diesel generators.

    Udeh disclosed that the government was seeking partnerships with international manufacturers, including Turkish companies, to establish production facilities in Nigeria.

    He said he travelled to Turkey this month following engagements initiated during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the country, with discussions aimed at attracting major solar manufacturers to invest in Nigeria.

    Memoranda of Understanding are expected to be signed with prospective partners, according to a statement issued by the organisations on Friday.

    The minister also said the government was working to prevent substandard solar panels and components from entering the Nigerian market, while ensuring that locally manufactured and imported products from reliable sources met acceptable quality standards.

    He explained that domestic production could help reduce prices by cutting shipping costs and import duties associated with foreign-made panels. Government support, he added, would further improve affordability.

    The initiative also includes plans to develop local expertise through the Barefoot Renewable Energy College, which was commissioned last month to train artisans in solar manufacturing and installation.

    According to Udeh, expanding the pool of skilled workers would improve installation standards and help lower the cost of solar energy products and services.

    The government is also implementing the Renewed Hope Solarisation Project through the Energy Commission of Nigeria to move federal institutions, including academic institutions, towards solar-powered electricity.

    Nigeria’s inadequate electricity supply has made alternative energy sources increasingly important for households and businesses seeking more reliable power.

    The Solar Power Nigeria Campaign and GIFSEP said the national grid supplies approximately 4,000 to 5,000 megawatts of electricity to a population exceeding 200 million, leaving many consumers dependent on alternative sources.

    Reacting to the government’s plans, GIFSEP’s Founder and Executive Director, Michael Terungwa David, said developing domestic manufacturing capacity before restricting imports would protect consumers while creating opportunities for local businesses.

    He also welcomed the proposed focus on quality control and technical training, saying these measures could help address the problems of substandard products and poor installation practices.

    David, however, urged the government to publish a clear, time-bound roadmap for expanding domestic production and gradually reducing dependence on imported solar panels.

    He called for the involvement of industry operators and civil society organisations in developing the plan, alongside incentives and affordable financing for manufacturers, installers and households.

    He further urged the government to strengthen enforcement of product quality standards in collaboration with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria.

    **Tags:** Solar Energy, Kingsley Udeh, Local Manufacturing, Renewable Energy, Federal Government