The Sokoto State Government has raised the alarm over the emergence of another deadly group in the state, identified as LAKURAWAS, terrorizing many local government areas in the state. The State Deputy Governor, Idris Gobir, stated this while receiving participants of Course 33 of the National Defence College, Abuja, who were on a study tour in the state. Gobir said the group is known to be a faith-based idealist, saying, “Assessment carried out indicated that the group possessed sophisticated weapons and their criminal activities were observed in about five local government areas of the state.”

National Orientation Agency, NOA, has concluded plans to commence a nationwide birth registration social mobilization drive. NOA said this would ensure that every child in Nigeria was able to access essential services such as education, healthcare and social protection. NOA Director General, Lanre Issa-Onilu, represented by Director of Special Duties and States Operations, David Akoji, said the agency was focused on registering children aged 0–5 years and providing them with a National Identification Number, NIN, free of charge. “NOA, in partnership with the National Population Commission, NPC, and UNICEF, is launching a nationwide birth registration social mobilization drive.”

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, reiterated Federal Government commitment to ensure that all federal high roads are repaired before Christmas. Umahi spoke in Akure, the capital of Ondo, on Thursday during a town hall meeting stakeholders’ meeting organized by the ministry of works. The Minister stated that the administration inherited over 2,000 uncompleted road projects worth trillions of Naira, but the government has terminated 10 contracts and eager to terminate more of erring companies.

A Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court has fixed November 14 for the possible arraignment of Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi state over alleged criminal breach of N110BN fund by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The presiding judge, Maryanne Anenih, had ordered Bello to appear before the court on October 24 to be arraigned on a 16-count charge preferred against him by EFCC. The order was to be published in a national newspaper, at Bello’s last known address, and in conspicuous places on the premises of the court. However, Bello was absent at the court session on today, 24th October.

The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in the suit filed by 16 states challenging the constitutionality of the laws establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and two others to a date to be communicated to the parties. At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, Imo, Bauchi, and Osun states joined the suit as co-plaintiffs while Anambra, Ebonyi, and Adamawa states announced their decisions to withdraw their suits. The trio’s suits were struck out, accordingly, by the court. The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) who was present in court as the defendant, had craved the court’s indulgence to take the process they filed on Tuesday morning.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) is set to commence the recruitment of tax officers in various locations across Nigeria, stating that the recruitment was aimed at young graduates.