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Oyo first lady calls for integrated action against sexual violence
Wife of the Oyo State governor, Engineer Tamunominini Makinde has assured that the state government would harmonise all efforts to ensure that justice is served to all victims of sexual violence in the state.
Mrs. Makinde, who gave this assurance on Thursday in a statement commemorating the June 19 International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, restated the present government’s determination to “activate integrated action by the police, the judiciary, as well as communal responsibility to ensure justice for victims and protection for the vulnerable.”
She called on members of the society to join hands with government in the efforts to end sexual violence, noting that no one should be a bystander in matters of rape and sexual violence, “because it is by joining hands that we can defeat the atrocious crime in our society.”
She charged residents to call the Oyo State Emergency Number: 615 in case of any emergency.
Mrs. Makinde said: “Now, more than ever before, the vulnerable among us need our help.
“Today, on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, we join our voices with that of the entire world to say no to Rape, Sexual Violence, Abuse and all other forms of violence against women whether in peace or conflict.
“We cannot agree less with the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, when he said on this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict: “We stand in solidarity with survivors. We vow to listen to them and act on their experiences and decisions.” “We in Oyo State hereby renew our vow to harmonise efforts to ensure that justice is served to all victims of sexual violence.
“We reassure all of our determination to activate integrated action by the Police, the Judiciary, as well as communal responsibility to ensure justice for victims and protection for the vulnerable.
“We recognise the incidences of Rape and murder being recorded in some communities in recent times but further commit to ensure justice for these victims and the many more unreported cases that may have been perpetrated.
“Let me state clearly that perpetrators of these heinous acts of rape and sexual violence will not go unpunished.
“However, we commend the Oyo State Judiciary, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, which have been working together to provide first responder and primary care assistance for rape victims.
“We are equally thankful to the state government for its efforts in domesticating laws such as the 2006 Child Rights Law; the 2016 Criminal Justice law and 2016 Violence Against Women (VAW), laws which are targeted at addressing the terrible act of rape and other forms of sexual violence against women.”
The Oyo State First Lady further called on the police to expand its forensic protocols in order to enable easy access to fingerprint and DNA testing, noting that these procedures will ensure speedy dispensation of justice and preservation of victims’ privacy.
“Let me use this opportunity to further call on the Nigeria Police Force to expand forensic protocols to enable easy access to fingerprinting and DNA testing. These procedures will expedite justice and preserve the privacy of victims. I enjoin members of the public to also show more empathy towards the victims.
“Let no one be a bystander in matters of Rape and Sexual violence because it is by joining hands that we can defeat the atrocious act of Rape and sexual violence in our society.
“Please call the Oyo State Emergency number 615 in times of need,” she said.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he had joined the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, made the announcement during a media briefing in Abuja, attributing his decision to what he described as irreconcilable differences within the PDP.
The lawmaker said the emergence of the NDC would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system by providing a credible opposition platform.
According to him, the party recently received its certificate of registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said, “Last week INEC issued a certificate of registration and we now have the newest party in Nigeria known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress and our symbol is victory, the victory sign.
“So, my dear Nigerians, you now have a credible alternative opposition party known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”
Dickson noted that although the party’s registration took longer than expected, its eventual approval was a welcome development for the country’s democratic landscape.
“Yes, it is coming at this time. We would have wished it started some years or months back. We don’t control INEC and their processes; they delayed. We don’t also control the judiciary, but thank God it has finally arrived,” he said.
The senator also stressed that Nigeria’s democracy must not slide into a one-party system, insisting that political diversity remained vital for national stability.
“This nation cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria is not designed to be a one-party state.
“We are a very diverse nation culturally, religiously and politically and that is the beauty of our country.
“So anyone or any party promoting one-party rule in Nigeria is mistaken. We build political parties and get involved in movements to access power for the good of the people, not for our personal benefit,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission recently announced the registration of two new political parties.
The parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.
The announcement was made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party stakeholders for 2026.
According to him, the Democratic Leadership Alliance completed the required verification process, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress was registered in compliance with a Federal High Court order.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 58-year-old alleged drug lord, Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya, who had reportedly been on the agency’s wanted list and that of British authorities for over 15 years.
Ilomuanya was apprehended in Lagos on Monday, February 23, 2026, following what the agency described as a high-level, coordinated operation by officers of its Special Operations Unit.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Media and Advocacy of the agency, Femi Babafemi.
Babafemi said the suspect’s arrest ended a prolonged manhunt linked to his alleged involvement in drug trafficking activities across Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
According to the statement, Ilomuanya was first arrested in February 2003 in the United Kingdom and convicted for drug trafficking.
He was sentenced to nine years imprisonment but was released after serving two years following a successful appeal.
Babafemi added that the suspect was again arrested in the UK in July 2011 over drug-related offences.
He said, “He was granted administrative bail but jumped jurisdiction and fled to Nigeria.
“Typical of a recidivist, Ilomuanya was in November 2018 arrested in Nigeria by NDLEA operatives following the discovery of two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories in his Obinugwu, Orlu Local Government Area country home in Imo State and at his No. 3 Barrister Declan Uzoma Close, Lagos residence where officers recovered 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine and extensive production equipment.
“He was subsequently charged before a Federal High Court in Lagos, after which he jumped court bail and has been on the run since then.”
Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the arrest as a major breakthrough in the agency’s ongoing war against drug trafficking networks.
Marwa said the operation demonstrated the agency’s resolve to track down criminal elements regardless of how long they evade the law.
He said, “This arrest serves as a stern warning to those who think they can hide behind borders to escape justice.
“Whether you jump bail in London or set up clandestine labs in your village, the long arm of the NDLEA will eventually catch up with those who choose to undermine the health, security, and future of our nation.
“We remain committed to our international collaborations to ensure that Nigeria is not used as a sanctuary for global drug lords.”
Marwa also commended officers of the Special Operations Unit for their professionalism and persistence in tracking down the suspect.
He added that the agency would continue to strengthen intelligence-driven operations and international cooperation to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating within and beyond Nigeria.
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