Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, on Tuesday, expressed doubt that the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, would bring an end to the insecurity challenges in the South-East. Speaking during a press briefing at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia on Tuesday, Soludo said that criminals are now exploiting the Biafran struggle. He noted that under the guise of agitation, these individuals had turned to “lucrative criminality,” engaging in armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, and idolatry. He insisted that their activities have nothing to do with the genuine liberation struggle, stating that…

Nigerians shelled out a staggering ₦2.23 trillion in ransom payments to kidnappers over a 12-month period, from May 2023 to April 2024. This alarming figure comes from the National Bureau of Statistics’ (NBS) latest Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey report. What’s even more concerning is that 65% of households affected by kidnapping opted to pay ransom to secure the release of their loved ones, highlighting the desperation and fear that grips families in these situations. “The average amount paid as ransom was ₦2,670,693, with an estimated total ransom of ₦2,231,772,563,507 paid within the reference period,” the NBS report read.…

The family of David Ogbonnaya, the missing student of Kingdom College, Ozu Abam, Arochukwu LGA of Abia State has appealed to Governors Alex Otti and Francis Nwifuru to help them in locating the whereabouts of their missing son, David who was abducted on March 5, 2024 during a land dispute inside Kingdom College farm. David, from Amagu Ishiagu, Ikwo LGA of Ebonyi State, according to his family, was allegedly kidnapped by some youths of Ndi Okorie community who invaded Kingdom College’s farm to attack the students of the institution who were working in their school farm, abducting 8 of the…

Pope Francis escaped two attempts on his life during his historic trip to Iraq in March 2021, according to excerpts from his forthcoming autobiography published Tuesday by Italian media. The pontiff’s Vatican security detail received an urgent warning from the British secret services, Francis wrote. “A woman packed with explosives, a young suicide bomber, was heading towards Mosul to blow herself up during the papal visit,” he wrote in “Hope”, which goes on sale in over 80 countries in January. “And a van had also set off at great speed with the same intention,” he added, according to excerpts from…

The Edo State House of Assembly has passed a resolution suspending all chairmen and vice chairmen of the 18 local government councils of the state for two months. The house also mandated leaders of the legislative arms to take over leadership of their respective councils. The suspension of the council’s chairmen and their deputies followed a motion moved by the member representing Esan North East one, Isibor Adeh and seconded by the member representing Akoko-Edo two, Donald Okogbe. The governor of the state, Senator Monday Okpebholo had written a petition to the House over the refusal of the chairmen to…

With insecurity bedevilling the South – East Geo – Political Zone, what the people need at this time is government in action. The power show between Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu and Imo State governor Hope Uzodinma is a complete distraction. The South – East Development Commission (SEDC)remained in the abandoned list of  Presidential Action Plan until the emergence of Kalu as Deputy Speaker. By virtue of that position, he is the highest ranking South -Easterner in the Bola Tinubu regime. Credit to Tinubu, he signed the bill establishing the SEDC into law. Past presidents failed to…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the construction of an airport in the State, a move seen as a significant dividend of democracy for the Southeast region under the current administration. The APC leadership also welcomed the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, to the official flag-off ceremony for the airport’s construction. The party expressed excitement about the project, believing it confirms the reality of Igbo reintegration under President Tinubu’s administration. In a brief statement, the leadership in Abia said “We are excited to welcome the Honorable minister of Aviation, Mr. Festus…

Ghana’s president-elect John Mahama has visited President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Mahama’s visit came weeks after he won Ghana’s presidential election, earning him a return to the seat of power eight years after leading the West African nation. Olusegun Dada, Tinubu’s Special Assistant On Social Media, said the newly-elected Ghanaian president visited his Nigerian counterpart on Monday. “The President-Elect of Ghana, H.E John Dramani Mahama paid a courtesy visit to President Tinubu at his residence, Presidential Villa, State House Yesterday,” Dada wrote on his X handle alongside photos of the two. He, however, did not give…

There was widespread excitement among Ekiti State workers on Tuesday as they began receiving alerts for the December salary reflecting the N70,000 new minimum wage. Hundreds of workers, including permanent secretaries, thronged the Governor’s Office in Ado Ekiti, dancing and singing in appreciation of the new wage payment. They expressed gratitude to Governor Biodun Oyebanji for fulfilling his promise to ensure that workers across all categories benefit from the new minimum wage. Accompanied by Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro; and some state commissioners, Oyebanji stepped out from the State Executive Council meeting…

A group, the University of Abuja Concerned Alumni Comrades, has opposed the Nigerian government’s plan to rename the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University. In a statement by its coordinator, Ogunwoye Samson, the group asked the government to reverse the decision. “The proposed name change is seen as an affront to our collective identity and history,” the statement reads in part. On Monday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has resolved to rename the university. He noted, however, that the move would require the approval of the National Assembly.…