Two men were on Thursday docked in Magistrates’ Court in Dutse, Abuja for allegedly assaulting a dispatch rider.

The police charged  Iremzy Pascal,34, and Akwaji Gabriel ,30, with Joint act, criminal force, assault and causing hurt.

The defendants however pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Prosecuting Counsel , Juliana Atinko, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on June 20.

She said the defendants, in company of along four others, assaulted Jessy Adebayoro, a dispatch rider.

The defendants were also alleged to have forcefully collected the dispatch rider’s cellphone and used it to transfer N119,000 to an account.

The police also said the defendants also seized the item in a bag containing a customer’s items worth N2 million.

The victim, she said, sustained serious internal injuries and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

The police said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 79,265 and 253 of the Penal Code Law.

Senior Magisterate Abdullahi Ilela admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N5 million each and two sureties each in like sum.

He ordered that the sureties must have a reliable means of identification and must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

The court adjourned the matter until July 13 for hearing.

Many Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have taken to corporate begging as part of strategies to make ends meet.

The practice is becoming increasingly visible at traffic intersections, offices, and commercial centres.

The people involved are usually well dressed that one finds it somehow to turn them down when they ask for assistance.

A civil servant, Mr Musa Sani, recalled his encounter with a well-dressed individual soliciting for money with emotional stories daily in the Central Business District (CBD).

“They appear organised and persistent. Sometimes they approach you aggressively, making it difficult to ignore them,” he said.

Sani said that the trend was affecting customer experience around his office environment.

“Clients feel uncomfortable when approached repeatedly before even entering the premises,” he said.

A trader at Wuse Market, Ms Adaeze Gozi, said that some of the beggers move in groups from shop to shop requesting financial support under different pretence.

“They claim to represent organisations or urgent causes, but there is rarely any proof,” she said.

Another civil servant, Mrs Lucy Obi, said they beg with confidence and when not given, they become aggressive.

“Some time ago I went to the ATM to withdraw some money, on my way out a lady well dressed approached me asking for money to buy drugs and to feed her baby, i took pity on her and gave her some money.

“The following week, I saw her in my office begging again for medical treatment holding a picture, and I confronted her and she told me to mind my business,” she said.

Mr Umar Ilyasu, a taxi driver, said that traffic congestion points had become hotspots for such activities, especially during peak hours.

“They target motorists stuck in traffic, knocking on windows and insisting on assistance,” he said.

A university student, Wale Ibrahim linked the rising trend to economic hardship and unemployment among youths in the city.

“Many of the beggers see it as an easier alternative to job hunting, especially with the rising living costs,” he said.

Mrs Ummi Ahmed, a resident of Garki, urged authorities to address the situation before it escalates further.

“There should be awareness and enforcement to distinguish genuine charity from exploitation,” she said.

Ahmed said that some of the beggers were criminals, some disguise to beg only to survey the area.

She also advised citizens to be observant of their areas and call the authorities to inform them of any suspicious movements.

One of the beggers at Utako market, said that the only business he understood was begging.

“I grew up to see my parents begging for a living and we lived well, they built four houses from begging.

“We joined the business at an early age, and I have acquired a lot too, but my children are not in this because they are in school, I want begging to end with me,” he said.

Hassan Hassan, a little boy who begs as well said that begging was his only chance of eating and his mother depended on him.

“I have five younger siblings, when my father abandoned us, my friends in the area introduced me to this and it has been helping us survive,” he said.

Residents of Peze and Kungabokun communities in Byazhin-Across area of Kubwa, a satellite town in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Teritory (FCT), on Sunday, shared harrowing accounts of kidnappings in the area.

They said that suspected armed terrorits, in their numbers, had continued to attack the area, bordered by hills and bushes, kidnapping residents, including women and children, and moving from house to house.

Some of the residents, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the repeated attacks have heightened their fears.

They called on the Federal Government to take immediate and decisive action on the deteriorating security situation in the area.

A resident, Philip Ikechukwu, said that no fewer than 20 people had been kidnapped within two weeks in the area.

“We have been living in fear here. These people (terrorists) have been coming to raid us, shooting guns and abducting men, women and even children, going from house to house.

“The kidnapping started two weeks ago and no fewer than 20 people have been kidnapped.

” Some, however, escaped while a man and a woman that were kidnapped at one time paid N500,000 ransom before their release.

” I heard that a pastor’s four children and others who were kidnapped on Tuesday had been rescued by the security personnel,” he said.

Ikechukwu said a joint security patrol of soldiers, police and civil defence officers had been on ground in the area to checkmate further attack.

He, however, said since the Byazhin Divisional Police Station is far from the community, there is a need to have a police station in the area.

Chief Kalu Uma, who lives at Ijayapi, a community next to Peze, said kidnapping has become rampant recently in the area.

“I have spent 29 years in this community. It is of recent we began to experience this menace.

“Today, it is here; tomorrow, it is there and we are worried about the development,” he said.

When asked the number of kidnapped cases that had occurred in the area, Uma said; “From information reaching me through rumour, some would say about 15 had so far been kidnapped, some would say about 20, although I am not very sure. ”

Uma, who said the environment is becoming more porous, urged the Federal Government to strengthen security in the area.

Pastor Tony Anotu of the Revival Family Church, whose four children were kidnapped on March 3 and rescued on Saturday, said the experience was an harrowing one.

According to him, the kidnappers left his baby of about three and a half years.

He said throughout the period of his children’s hostage, he couldn’t sleep.

“Each time I want to sleep, I will just see their pictures and wake up. I would be thinking what would be their feelings inside the forest.

“It was not an easy experience,” he said pensively.

Anotu, who confirmed that his four children within the age range of six to 16 years were rescued by the security personnel, said he did not pay any ransom.

He equally confirmed that his children were rescued alongside a vigilance group member’s wife and her sister who were abducted in the area on the same day.

“They had kidnapoed the wife of the vigilante head who was exchanging guns with them.

” The gunmen left her two months’ old baby but went with her sister that came to help her,” he said. said.

He called on President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to come to their rescue.

For Chief Saidu Ibrahim, the Village Head of Peze community, the continued attack was devastating.

“Since last week, there were people (gunmen) who have been coming here to kidnap our people.

“So last week Thursday, they (the gunmen) entered and abducted two people; one woman and one man.

“They then released them on Sunday (last Sunday) after paying almost N500, 000 (as ransom).

“We discovered that there is informant in this community because if there is no informant, strangers cannot just enter the community and begin such operations.

“On Tuesday this week around evening, they entered the community again and began to release the bullets and they took about seven people and escaped with them.” he said.

He said in Kugabonku community which is next to his, a vigilance group member was killed by the terrorists and a number of persons kidnapped on March 3.

Peze and Kugabonku he said , were under the same ward in Byazhin Community.

He said at least 16 people had been kidnapped within the period.

Ibrahim, who noted that a letter had been written to the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police area command on the need to have security base in the area, said the community is no longer safe.

“We need a checkpoint by the military here and we need a police station.

“If there is a police station or military checkpoint here, it will help the community,” he said.

Also speaking, Chief Jagaba Ishaya, the Village Head of Kugabonku communuty, described the recent kidnapping in his environment as “worrisome.”

He said about three people were kidnapped at a former naval officer’s residence, while four others were abducted at a poultry farm on Tuesday.

“The gunmen abducted oga Navy and his two daughters.

” Then at the barrister’s farm where he has a poultery, a vigilante officer was killed and four people were kidnapped, ” he said.

Chief Ishaya, who spoke through an interpreter, Prince Timothy, his son, said the area needs a police station.

He also urged the government to support members of the vigilance group in the area to function effectively.

“You cannot go and face a person who is coming with AK-47 with inferior weapon.

” This has been our challenge. Therefore, they need to be empowered, ” he said.

Mathew Samuel, a member of the Vigilance group at Kugabonku, narrated his experience with the gunmen.

He called on the government to support their effort in combating the menace.

NAN observes the deployment of military, police and civil defence officers in the area.

The Byazhin DPO, Christopher Owujie, when contacted refused to comment on the incident.

Rather, he referred NAN to the FCT Police Command PRO, Josephine Adeh.

However, an officer at Byazhin station, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said police officers had intensified security surveillance in the affected areas.

“There have been kidnap cases in the area in the last one week, the police have not rested.

“Our men have been working day and night,” he said.

In a telephone chat with the command PRO, SP Adeh said classified information about what the security agencies are doing cannot be revealed to members of the public.

Adeh, who said the kidnap victims had been rescued through the joint effort of the police, the military and DSS, said some of the terrorists were neutralised, while some escaped with bullet wounds and two were arrested during a gun battle.

She said a press statement had been released to the effect.

In the statement, Adeh said: “Police personnel from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigerian Army Guards Brigade, the Department of State Services (DSS), and local vigilantes, between March 6 and 7, commenced a coordinated search and rescue operation.

” This follows credible intelligence that criminals fleeing from ongoing security operations in Gauraka Forest, Niger , had crossed into Gidan Dogo and Kweri Forests in Kaduna State with kidnapped victims.

“Acting on the intelligence, the Officer in Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit led the combined tactical team into the forest in pursuit of the suspected criminals.

“Upon approaching their hideout, the suspects opened fire on the operatives, resulting in an intense gun duel that lasted over one hour and thirty minutes.

“Through superior tactics and firepower, the operatives successfully subdued the kidnappers.

“Suspects were neutralised during the exchange, while two others identified as Nura Sani and Abdul Bello were arrested.

“Other members of the gang escaped with gunshot wounds into the surrounding forest and hills.

“The operation led to the successful rescue of twenty (20) kidnapped victims comprising ten (10) males and ten (10) females who were earlier abducted from Byazhin District of the FCT, as well as Gauraka and Tafa areas of Niger State.”

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday met separately with Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau at the State House, Abuja.

The meetings were held behind closed doors at the President’s office.

Makinde arrived shortly after Mutfwang and proceeded directly to the President’s office.

Speaking after the meeting, Makinde said addressing Nigeria’s challenges requires bipartisan cooperation and contributions from all political parties.

“We may have issues in this country where you need a bipartisan approach, where there won’t be an issue of APC talking alone or PDP talking alone.

“A situation where we will have to look at what is the best foot forward in the interest of our nation.

“So, when you get to that junction, you need everybody on board,” he said.

The meetings come amid ongoing political realignments and consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Makinde, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), remains one of the opposition governors in the country.

Mutfwang, also elected on the PDP platform, did not speak with journalists after his meeting.

Tinubu has in recent months held a series of meetings with governors across party lines at the Presidential Villa.

        U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has ended his tour of duty in the country following President Donald Trump’s recall of about 30 U.S. envoys from countries globally.

Amb. Mills was confirmed as U.S. ambassador to Nigeria nearly two years ago in May, 2024.

“Ambassador Mills led the U.S. Mission in strengthening relationship with Nigeria for the last year and a half.

“Current Deputy Chief of Mission Keith Heffern will serve as Charge d’Affaires, a.i. until further notice,” the U.S. Mission in Nigeria said on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Trump announced the comprehensive diplomatic shake-up in December, 2025, affecting many U.S. envoys, including Mills, whose tour of duty officially ended on Friday.

Unlike typical transitions where political appointees resign, this move was considered highly unusual because it abruptly removed career diplomats, who usually remain in place for continuity.

The affected diplomats, most of whom were career Foreign Service officers, who were appointed during the Biden administration, were notified that their tenures would end in January, 2026.

According to the U.S. Department of State, out of the large number of envoys, who were withdrawn from more than two dozen countries, Africa is the most impacted.

It explained that the recalls were part of a broader effort to realign the Department with President Trump’s “America First” priorities.

Officials described the move as a “standard process,” arguing that the President has the right to ensure envoys are personal representatives who fully support his agenda.

They added that the envoys were merely being recalled to Washington for other assignments and would not lose their foreign service jobs.

However, the American Foreign Service Association (the diplomats’ union) called the move “highly irregular” and “institutional sabotage,” expressing concern that it would weaken U.S. credibility and leave critical posts vacant.

The latest development comes amid some developments in U.S.-Nigeria relations, such as the U.S. redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, and visa restrictions, among others.

Relations between the two countries have, however, remained mutually beneficial and will continue to improve, especially with both countries currently striving to strengthen diplomatic relations through various initiatives and partnerships.

18 days after he travelled to France and the United Kingdom on a working visit, President Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja.

The Presidency had maintained that Tinubu had continued performing his roles while away but the opposition had criticised his absence.

The presidential 001 aircraft conveying the President landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at 9:50 p.m on Monday, the State House media office disclosed.

Tinubu was received by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, among others.

Tinubu departed Nigeria on Wednesday, April 2, spending some time in Paris, the French capital, before he reportedly proceeded to London two weekends ago.

The Presidency said while away, Tinubu maintained contact with key government officials, overseeing critical national matters, including directives to security chiefs to address emerging threats in some states.

In Paris, the President held talks with the United States Department of State’s Senior Advisor for Africa, Mr. Massad Boulos.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the discussions included deepening bilateral collaboration aimed at enhancing regional security and promoting sustainable economic development across Africa.

A key aspect of the meeting included joint efforts to advance lasting peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, with emphasis on multilateral cooperation and the role of regional stakeholders.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, was also among the officials who received the President.

The Federal Capital Territory Police Commissioner, Benneth Igweh, was close to wailing on Sunday as he lamented the loss of some of his men to a violent protest by the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria, commonly referred to as the Shiites.

The group’s event on Sunday, August 25, had started as a procession but got escalated into violence, resulting in the deaths of two police officers and a local trader at the popular Wuse Market in Abuja.

Some other reports said six people died in the clash with the police.

Expressing  deep displeasure over the incident, Igweh labelled the actions of the Shiite group as “provocative,” especially their attacks on security operatives, which also left two policewomen critically injured.

The clash also saw substantial property damage, with at least three police vehicles reported to have been set ablaze amidst the turmoil. Igweh said;

“We spoke to their lawyer, if you heard what he was saying, you would be shocked, you would know that these people have declared total war on us. I want to assure you that we won’t take that lightly, this is the last protest or procession they will carry out in FCT.”