National News
ICPC tasks traditional, religious leaders to promote behavioural change

ICPC tasks traditional, religious leaders to promote behavioural change
The Independent Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Tuesday in Akure admonished traditional and religious leader as well as civil society groups to promote behavioural change to curb corruption in the country.
Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, Chairman, ICPC, who was represented by AIG Olugbenga Adeyanju (Rtd.), a member of the commission board, gave the admonition
at a sensitization dialogue with traditional rulers, religious leaders and community-based civil society groups.
The sensitization dialogue was on “Behavioural Change National Ethics and Integrity Policy(NEIP), Constituency & Executive Projects Tracking Initiative (CEPTI)“.
Owasanoye explained that it had become imperative for traditional and religious leaders and other stakeholders to initiate and sustain behavioral change among the people.
According to him, one will be shocked to realise the extent to which corruption has shortchanged all of us, especially ordinary people.
“I believe this realization will underscore why every core value of ethics and integrity policy should be imbibed, practiced and upheld by all.
“You as leaders should deepen your partnership with the ICPC in diminishing corruption and using your good offices in promoting ethics, values and behavioral change and building a better Nigeria for all of us.
“As religious leaders, you, our pastors and Imams, are not only spirituals guides but also moral compasses by which we measure the positive growth or otherwise of the society.
“You have followership, you have influence and command respect. Use these to bring about an enduring positive behavioural change among our people.
“Nigerians are good people, let not the actions and attitude of a few bad eggs among us give us all a bad name,” he said.
The ICPC chairman called on all the stakeholders to organise events in their collective desire to enthrone a Nigeria glowing with integrity, transparency and accountability in all spheres.
Earlier, Mr Kupolati Kayode, Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RACC) in Ondo State, had said that the dialogue was aimed at enthroning behavioral change and socio-economic rebirth in the society.
Kayode, who said that ICPC could not do the work effectively without the cooperation and inputs of all stakeholders, said the sensitisation would help in spreading the anti-corruption message and also improve service delivery to Nigeria and Nigerians.
“The people who perpetrate these acts are not aliens, they are our sons and daughters, followers, legislators, civil servants and contractors.
“The commission, therefore, needs your full support in the onerous fight against corruption in our nation by joining hands with the ICPC in this fight,” he said.
The Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade, who is also State Chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers, was represented by the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Victor Kiladejo.
He expressed appreciation to the ICPC for the initiative, saying it would go a long way to achieve the desired results.
Ogunlade implored the commission and government to always carry the traditional institution along in order to stem corruption in the society.
“In our respective communities, there is need for us to come together so that traditional institutions will be proactive by working hand-in-hand with the government to fight corruption in the society,” he said.
One of the participants, Alhaji Yusuf Agbesinga, the Imam of Gaga Muslim Community in Akure, also called on the commission to create more awareness to tackle the menace of corruption.
He said both the leaders and the led were corrupt.
“If we want corruption to be reduced in our society, our government needs to engage more youths by employing them while both the parents and guardians should teach their children and wards the way of God,” he said.
Also, Mr Olumuyiwa Olawolu, Are Agbe-Asaga of Ondo State, implored government to include traditionalists among those administering the oath of allegiance for office holders so that they could take the oath through “ogun and others traditional gods.
“If we do this, I am sure corruption will become a thing of the past in the country.
“If we want to fight and curb corruption, we must involve traditionalists while our leaders and office holders take oath of office through ogun, sango and others,” he said.
ICPC tasks traditional, religious leaders to promote behavioural change
National News
CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY AND EXTORTION FOILED, FAKE DOLLAR NOTES AND VEHICLE RECOVERED

CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY AND EXTORTION FOILED, FAKE DOLLAR NOTES AND VEHICLE RECOVERED
By: Our Reporter
The Yobe State Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Ado, psc, fdc, has made a significant breakthrough in the fight against crime, arresting three suspects involved in organized crime.
The Potiskum Divisional Police Headquarters successfully investigated and recovered a stolen vehicle in a case of alleged criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, misappropriation, and extortion.

On August 2, 2025, at about 1100hrs, a report was lodged by Maina Abdullahi, 37, of Old Army Barracks Area, Potiskum, claiming that a Toyota Venza vehicle valued at N17 million belonging to his elder brother was forcefully collected from him. However, investigations revealed that the complainant was deceived and lured to Azare by Mohammed Halilu Bello, 54, of Indabo Area, Damagum, Fune LGA, and Mohammed Usman, 35, of Kano State, under the pretext of arranging a money-making opportunity.
Through diligent investigation and intelligence tracking, the vehicle was recovered at Makurdi, Benue State. The police also recovered suspected fake dollar notes.
The CP has directed that the suspects be charged to court for prosecution, and commended the officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and dedication to duty.
CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY AND EXTORTION FOILED, FAKE DOLLAR NOTES AND VEHICLE RECOVERED
National News
CCDI, Swiss Embassy Commission Refurbished Toilets and Libraries in Abuja Schools

CCDI, Swiss Embassy Commission Refurbished Toilets and Libraries in Abuja Schools
By: Michael Mike
In a significant step towards improving hygiene and learning conditions in public schools, Create That Change Development Initiative (CCDI), in collaboration with the Embassy of Switzerland, has commissioned newly refurbished facilities at two schools in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
The projects, unveiled at LEA Pilot Science Primary School and LEA Phase III Primary School, include a reconstructed 12-stall toilet block and two fully refurbished libraries.
They mark the first phase of CCDI’s Public-School Revival Initiative (PSRI), an intervention designed to restore dignity, enhance sanitation, and provide inclusive learning spaces for Nigerian children.

Speaking at the commissioning, the Executive Director of CCDI, Mrs. Sharon Ayeni, described access to clean toilets as a fundamental right rather than a privilege.
“Access to clean toilets is a basic right, not a luxury. We are grateful to our partners at the Swiss Embassy for supporting this project. Together, we are uplifting schools that need it most and investing in the brighter futures of children,” Ayeni said.
She explained that the project was inspired by CCDI’s earlier outreach programme, Start Smart September, where pupils at the schools identified toilet and library facilities as their most urgent needs.
According to her, one of the schools’ toilet blocks had been abandoned for nearly two decades, earning the nickname “haunted house” among pupils.
The Deputy Ambassador of Switzerland, Mr. Sayer Rouhani, who represented the Swiss Embassy, joined CCDI to officially commission the facilities.

For the Headteacher of LEA Primary School Phase III, Mr. Abdel Liza Njibri, the intervention was nothing short of a rescue.
“For more than 10 years, this school did not have a functional toilet. It is God that sent CCDI and the Swiss Embassy to us. They gave us a 12-stall toilet, refurbished our library, connected water, and even sponsored some of our less privileged pupils by paying their school fees and providing books and bags. We are sincerely grateful,” he said.
Also reflecting on the project, Ms. Oluwamu Mirayo Ame, a CCDI volunteer who was once a pupil of the school, said the initiative was deeply personal.
“Over 20 years ago, when I was in this school, the toilet was an eyesore that we all believed was haunted. Returning here and seeing it transformed into a clean, safe facility is a dream come true. Now children, especially girls, will not have to leave school during the day to relieve themselves,” she said.
The initiative aligns with Nigeria’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) agenda, which seeks to improve child health, learning outcomes, and dignity in underserved communities.
It also builds on CCDI’s earlier efforts in July 2025, when the organisation delivered two eight-stall toilet facilities to LEA Primary School, Kabusa, and LEA Nomadic Primary School, Apo Dutse.

Create That Change Development Initiative (CCDI) is a Nigerian registered non-governmental organisation committed to transforming the lives of children through interventions in education, health, and community development.
CCDI, Swiss Embassy Commission Refurbished Toilets and Libraries in Abuja Schools
National News
Drug kingpin, 5 others in NDLEA custody for smuggling drugs into bags of 3 Nigerians facing charges in Saudi Arabia

Drug kingpin, 5 others in NDLEA custody for smuggling drugs into bags of 3 Nigerians facing charges in Saudi Arabia
By: Michael Mike
A 55-year-old drug kingpin Mohammed Abubakar, alias Bello Karama and five members of a syndicate operating at Kano international airport have been taken into custody by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) following the discovery that they are behind the shipment of illicit substances for which three innocent Nigerians who went on lesser hajj pilgrimage to the holy land were being detained in Jeddah for alleged drug trafficking.
This was disclosed at a press conference addressed by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi along with the Director of Assets and Financial Investigation, Dr. Abdul Ibrahim and Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Theresa Asuquo, in Abuja on Monday.
The NDLEA while explaining how the syndicate implicated three unsuspecting pilgrims in drug trafficking allegations in Saudi, said following receipt of complaints by its Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) from three Nigerian families over the detention of their family members in Saudi Arabia after the completion of their lesser hajj pilgrimage on an allegation of trafficking in illicit substances into Saudi Arabia, an investigation was launched to unravel what happened.
The agency said the three Nigerians detained in Saudi Arabia: Mrs. Maryam Abdullahi; Mrs. Abdullahi Aminu; and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddiq boarded an Ethiopian Airline flight ET940 which departed Kano on 6th August 2025 to Jeddah enroute Addis-Ababa were unfortunate to be tagged with six additional bags not belonging to them, three of which were found to contain illicit drugs.
The agency said: “Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi while embarking on this flight, only checked in one luggage weighing 9 kilograms on the 6th day of August, 2025 which incidentally did not arrive with her to her destination. Her husband was only informed of the arrival of their luggage on 16th August, a day before the date of their departure from Jeddah which was to be on the 17th day of August, 2025. Following this allegation, she was detained in Jeddah and is still in detention till date. The case of the other two persons followed the same pattern and were reported to the Agency shortly after Maryam Hussain’s complaint.”
The agency revealed its swift investigation revealed that “the bags containing illicit drug substances intercepted in Saudi Arabia were checked in against the complainants’ names by members of a criminal syndicate operating in Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport without the knowledge of the three complainants.
“All the bags were traced to one Ali Abubakar Mohammed (aka Bello Karama), the leader of the syndicate who checked them into the Ethiopian Airline on the 6th day of August 2025, the same day the three complainants travelled on board the same airline from Kano enroute Addis-Ababa to Jeddah. It is interesting to note that the said Ali Abubakar Mohammed who also travelled to Jeddah on the same date boarded Egypt Air rather than Ethiopian Airline where he checked in his contaminated bags.
“The bags were tagged and checked in by members of staff of Skyway Aviation Handling Company who are also members of the criminal syndicate, to the names of the three complainants secretly and without their knowledge or consent. The bags illegally tagged against the complainants’ names are the ones intercepted in Saudi Arabia and found to contain the illicit drug substances.

“For the above reasons, the three complainants were arrested and detained for crimes they had no knowledge of. In the light of the forgoing, and the evidence gathered by the agency in the course of our investigation, it is clear that Mrs. Maryam Abdullahi and two others who are being detained in Saudi are victims of circumstance, implicated by the activities of a criminal syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.”
The agency revealed that six members of the syndicate are already in its custody with four already charged to court awaiting arraignment including Ali Mohammed (aka Bello Karama); Abdulbasit Adamu, Murtala Olalekan and Celestina Yayock, adding that: “They have all made confessional statements. While Ali had admitted bringing in seven luggage, Celestina confessed checking in two of them for a fee of N100,000 and another suspect Jazuli Kabir who checked in two other bags admitted collecting N100,000 for the dirty job, while Ali travelled with the other three bags on Egypt Air. We have the receipts for the transfer of N200,000 from Ali to Celestina who in turn transferred N100,000 to Jazuli.”
The agency said based on the outcome of its investigations it is spearheading a dialogue with the authority of the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) in Saudi Arabia to see that the three innocent Nigerians are exonerated.
“As a result, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency is presently on his way to attend an International Drug Conference which will be attended by a delegation from the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC), who he intends to meet one on one, to present our findings and seek the cooperation of our Saudi counterparts in ensuring that Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, and the two others who remain stranded in the Kingdom, get the justice they deserve. If required, the CCEO is also prepared to travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia personally to pursue this matter to its conclusion”, Babafemi stated, while assuring that Nigeria will never abandon its citizens, especially when the facts clearly show that they are victims of criminal conspiracies.
The agency however assured the public of its commitment to fight the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country adding that “while there are no sacred cows in our enforcement duties which can be attested to by the number of high-profile arrests, seizures, convictions and forfeitures recorded, it will not support the innocent being punished for crimes they did not commit.”
“While investigations continue, the CCEO will like to appreciate the Hon. Min of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Managing Director of FAAN, the AVSEC and the DSS for their collaboration on this case and for the interim measures that have been approved in MAKIA to prevent a reoccurrence of this type of situation”, Babafemi said.
Drug kingpin, 5 others in NDLEA custody for smuggling drugs into bags of 3 Nigerians facing charges in Saudi Arabia
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