Nigeria News (Standard)
Edo Police Arrest Woman, Three Others for Staging Own Kidnapping Over ₦5 Million Debt
Suspect admits tying own hands and demanding ransom; police say no payment was made before arrest in Ikpoba Hills
Suspect admits tying own hands and demanding ransom; police say no payment was made before arrest in Ikpoba Hills
The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 45-year-old woman, Oluchi Ugbowan, alongside three alleged accomplices after she reportedly staged her own kidnapping to pressure family members into paying ransom money to settle debts. The suspects were paraded by police officers in Benin City on Monday following their arrest at a hotel in the Ikpoba Hills area.
According to CSP Eno Ikoedem, spokesperson for the command, Ugbowan confessed during interrogation that mounting pressure from a microfinance institution drove her to orchestrate the fake abduction. She explained that she personally tied her hands and participated in recording videos where a gun was pressed to her neck, to make the situation look authentic and convince her Canada-based daughter and other relatives of the alleged danger.
Ugbowan told police that she first suggested using a cutlass as a prop but later switched to a firearm owned by one of her co-conspirators’ fathers. “I was the one who tied my hands,” she stated during the parade. “My mindset was that if they saw stronger evidence, they would come up with a better negotiation.” The group initially demanded ₦50 million from the family, later reducing it to ₦20 million when relatives said they could only raise ₦3.5 million. Ugbowan admitted she would have accepted even ₦5 million to clear her debt burden.
One of the accomplices said he was drawn into the scheme after persistent requests from Ugbowan, while his younger brother claimed he believed it was only a church drama until police intervened. The father who owned the unlicensed gun used in the video was also arrested and paraded by police.
No ransom payment was made before police uncovered the plot and apprehended all parties involved at the hotel where Ugbowan had been hiding. Her daughter Anita, who had earlier made public appeals for financial assistance on social media, has confirmed that any funds collected for ransom would be returned in full. The Edo State Police Command says investigations are ongoing and all suspects will be charged to court as at the conclusion of inquiries.
Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/edo-woman-explains-fake-kidnapping-ransom-plot-2026061017421820124
Nigeria News (Standard)
Federal Government Launches New HIV Strategy, Moves to Cut Donor Dependence
Health ministry unveils plan in Abuja, targets increased domestic funding as international support for HIV response declines
Health ministry unveils plan in Abuja, targets increased domestic funding as international support for HIV response declines
The federal government on Thursday unveiled a new national HIV response plan in Abuja, aiming to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on international donors and prioritise increased domestic financing for HIV prevention and treatment programmes. The announcement comes as major external partners gradually scale back funding commitments amid shifting global health priorities.
At the formal launch event, health officials highlighted the urgent need for more sustainable local investment in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The new strategy seeks to mobilise funds from federal and state governments, as well as private sector stakeholders, to address gaps left by declining donor support. According to the health ministry, Nigeria remains one of the countries with the highest HIV burden globally, making continued investment critical for public health.
Officials explained that over the past two decades, Nigeria’s HIV response has depended heavily on international donors such as PEPFAR and the Global Fund. However, with foreign assistance now on a downward trend, there is growing concern about the long-term sustainability of treatment and prevention services for millions of Nigerians living with or at risk of HIV.
Speaking at the event, senior health ministry representatives said government is determined to bridge funding gaps by increasing budgetary allocations and encouraging partnerships with private organisations. They emphasised that enhanced domestic commitment will ensure uninterrupted access to antiretroviral drugs and other essential services. However, some public health advocates have called for transparent monitoring of how new funds are allocated and used at all levels.
The health ministry stated it will work closely with state governments and development partners to implement the new plan nationwide. Experts say success will depend on political will and accountability measures to ensure funds reach frontline services. The government has assured that it will regularly review progress towards national HIV reduction targets under this new approach.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Senate Approves State Police Bill, Forwards Proposal to Constitution Review Committee
Move marks major step in restructuring Nigeria’s security framework as lawmakers weigh amendment of key constitutional provisions
Move marks major step in restructuring Nigeria’s security framework as lawmakers weigh amendment of key constitutional provisions
The Nigerian Senate on Thursday passed the long-debated state police bill during plenary in Abuja and has referred the proposed legislation to its Constitution Review Committee for further consideration. The move is seen as a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to address insecurity across the country’s states and regions.
The Senate’s decision followed extensive debate on the floor, with lawmakers from both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition parties contributing to discussions about decentralising policing powers. Passage of the bill signals strong legislative interest in amending the 1999 Constitution to permit states to establish their own police forces, a demand that has gained momentum amid rising cases of banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence nationwide.
Calls for state police have persisted over the years as many stakeholders argue that Nigeria’s centralised policing structure is inadequate for tackling localised security threats. Proponents contend that empowering states with their own police formations will boost response times and improve intelligence gathering at grassroots level. However, critics warn that state police could be misused by governors against political opponents or lead to inter-state rivalry.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio described Thursday’s passage as “a bold move towards addressing insecurity within our federating units.” He noted that “the Constitution Review Committee will now engage with all stakeholders including state governments, civil society groups, and security experts before any final amendments are presented for a vote.” The opposition did not immediately issue an official reaction at press time.
The Constitution Review Committee is expected to hold public hearings in coming weeks, after which its recommendations will return to the full Senate for further debate. Any constitutional amendment must secure two-thirds support in both chambers of the National Assembly and approval by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly before it can become law.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Nigeria Exceeds OPEC Quota as Oil Production Hits 15-Month Peak in May
Recent figures show Nigeria’s daily crude output surpassed OPEC target, easing pressure on federal revenue and foreign reserves
Recent figures show Nigeria’s daily crude output surpassed OPEC target, easing pressure on federal revenue and foreign reserves
Nigeria’s oil production climbed to its highest level in 15 months in May, with official data showing the country exceeded its Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota for the first time since early 2023. The increase marks a significant boost for Africa’s largest economy, which has been struggling with declining crude revenues and persistent dollar shortages.
According to industry reports released on Thursday, Nigeria pumped more barrels of crude daily than the quota set by OPEC for the month of May. The surge in production follows months of government efforts to curb pipeline vandalism and oil theft, particularly in the Niger Delta region.
The development is expected to provide much-needed relief for federal finances and strengthen the naira by increasing foreign exchange earnings. Nigeria’s oil sector accounts for over 70 percent of government revenue and nearly all export receipts, making production levels a key determinant of economic stability. In recent years, the country has faced repeated shortfalls due to operational challenges and insecurity along major pipelines.
Energy officials welcomed the new figures, describing them as evidence that government interventions are yielding results. No official statement has yet been released by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) or the Ministry of Petroleum Resources regarding how long the trend is expected to last. Oil market analysts noted that consistent output above OPEC quotas could support budget implementation but cautioned that global price fluctuations remain a risk factor.
Stakeholders are now watching to see if Nigeria can sustain these production gains amid ongoing security concerns in oil-producing communities. Further increases may also prompt renewed negotiations with OPEC regarding future output ceilings. For now, improved oil receipts are projected to ease fiscal pressures and support government programmes across all sectors.
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