News
FCTA vows fresh clampdown on criminal hideouts, illegal shanties
The Federal Capital Territory Administration has said it will sustain its onslaught on criminal hideouts and illegal shanties in Abuja, particularly in Area 1, Durumi Distrit, where the administration described security threats as “worrisome”.
The Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister of Public Communication and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, made this known in a statement on Monday, adding that illegal shanties in Area 1, Duru I, will be “cleared very soon.”
According to the statement, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has set up a Stakeholders Committee made up of heads of security agencies, FCTA officials, civil society organisations, members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, and others, in a bid to ensure safety of Abuja residents.
“The ongoing onslaught on criminal hideouts in Abuja will continue. High level criminal activities such as robbery, carjacking, drug peddling and other heinous crimes with its attendant security implications to law abiding FCT residents cannot be allowed to continue,” the statement partly read.
Olayinka noted that the security agencies had previously arrested over 120 miscreants in the area, recovered seven stolen vehicles, 79 motorcycles, and 155 ATM cards, in an operation that lasted over three hours months ago, adding however, that the criminals had regrouped, and the shanties were back after previously being cleared.
“Three months ago, when security agencies carried out an operation in Area 1, Durumi, over 120 miscreants were arrested. Among those arrested in the operation that lasted over three hours were drug peddlers, one-chance operators, carjackers, and armed robbers.
“Seven stolen vehicles, and 79 stolen motorcycles were recovered, while 155 ATM cards were recovered. These ATM cards were those snatched from victims of one-chance operators, using the settlement as their base.
“Then, some of the shanties in Area 1, Durumi, were cleared. But today, the shanties are back, and the criminals have regrouped, making the area uninhabitable for law-abiding Nigerians. Consequently, the FCTA is already clearing shanties in the City Centre, and those in Area 1, Durumi will be cleared very soon,” the statement read.
Olayinka also noted that some of the shanties and makeshift houses were built on lands allocated over 20 years ago, disallowing allotees and even government agencies from making use of the lands.
News
IGP Disu Launches Nigeria Police Force Vigilant App, for Tracking Crimes
” The police cannot be everywhere at the same time, but through technology and partnership with the citizens, we can significantly expand our capability to prevent and respond to crimes,” he noted.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, has launched the Nigeria Police Force Vigilant App as part of efforts to strengthen public engagement, internal communication and the fight against increasingly sophisticated crimes.
Disu also unveiled MTN Closed User Group (CUG) Network for strengthening communication among police commands, formations, divisions and specialised units nationwide.
Speaking during the launch ceremony in Abuja, IGP Disu said that the changing nature of crime and the speed at which information travels have made it necessary for the police to embrace technology.
The policing environment is changing rapidly. Crime is becoming more sophisticated. Information moves faster, and citizens increasingly expect public institutions to be accessible and respond to technology,”said Disu.
He explained that the Vigilant App was designed to improve communication between the police and members of the public by enhancing information sharing and citizen engagement.
The IGP urged Nigerians to use the platform responsibly to report suspicious activities, provide useful information and seek assistance when necessary .
Disu also charged officers managing the platform to operate with professionalism and integrity, stressing that information received through the system must be handled responsibly, investigated diligently and protected appropriately.
“The police cannot be everywhere at the same time, but through technology and partnership with the citizens, we can significantly expand our capability to prevent and respond to crimes,” he noted.
Disu observed that effective communication often determines the success of operations, emergency responses and investigations.
“In policing, information delayed can be information lost,” the IGP declared.
News
Edo Influential Politician, Daniel Orbih, dies at 64 •Obaseki mourns
Obaseki said Orbih’s contributions to Nigerian politics and the PDP remained significant, particularly during his years of service in Edo.
•Chief Daniel Osi Orbih
Chief Daniel Osi Orbih, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is dead, aged 64.
Orbih, known by his traditional title, the Kulukulu 1 of Ogoni Land and Oduma of Uzairue, reportedly died on Monday, 31st August 2026.
His death was confirmed in a statement issued by his family and signed by Francis Udukhomoi Orbih, Esq., on behalf of the Orbih family.
Orbih was born on the 27th of October, 1961, to Chief and Mrs M.C.K. Orbih of Ogbona in Etsako Central Local Government.
He ventured into politics in 1999, and was the deputy governorship candidate of the All Peoples Party (APP) in Edo State, describing Orbih as a prominent figure and influential voice in Edo politics.
Condolences
Former governor of Edo, Godwin Obaseki, lamented that Orbih ‘s death represents a significant loss to Edo.
Obaseki said Orbih’s contributions to Nigerian politics and the PDP remained significant, particularly during his years of service in Edo.
“For many years, he provided leadership to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State as its State Chairman and subsequently served as the PDP National Vice Chairman, South-South.
“Through these roles, he contributed significantly to the development of the party in the Edo State and Nigeria, ” he said.
He emphasised that the former PDP chairman’s death represented a significant loss to Edo State and Nigeria, while commiserating with his family, friends and political associates.
News
Death Toll in Nepal Floods Exceed 1,000
The death toll from catastrophic flash floods along the Nepal-China border has surged past 1,000, authorities said Tuesday, as rescue teams continued searching through mud, debris and damaged hydropower tunnels nearly a week after the disaster.
Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported 987 deaths in the country, with Chinese state media confirming 16 fatalities in Tibet, bringing the combined toll to more than 1,000. Around 3,900 people remain missing in Nepal, including 583 foreign nationals, while China has reported 546 missing.
The floods were triggered on August 26 by a glacial collapse near the border that sent a massive surge of water, ice, rock and debris racing down the Trishuli and Bhotekoshi river systems. Entire settlements were wiped out, roads and bridges destroyed, and multiple hydropower projects heavily damaged.
Hundreds of workers are still feared trapped in mud-filled tunnels at hydropower sites. Joint teams of Nepalese, Chinese, Indian and other international rescuers have so far pulled out more than 270 people from those sites, while overall more than 11,800 people have been rescued across the affected districts.
Chitwan district has recorded the highest number of recovered bodies, followed by Nawalparasi. Many victims remain unidentified, and authorities have begun mass burials while collecting DNA samples to help families identify the dead. Fresh flood alerts were also issued in several districts amid ongoing intermittent rain.
-
Business2 days agoNaira Exchange Rates Today, Monday August 31
-
Business2 days agoPZ Cussons Reports N45.2bn PAT, Proposes N2.50 Dividend
-
News2 days agoJAMB introducing facial scan to catch UTME impersonators
-
Business22 hours agoCommercial Banks Borrowing From CBN Drops By 89% in August
-
Business2 days agoEmzor Pharma raises N26.7bn bond to boost local drug manufacturing
-
Entertainment2 days agoDolly Parton Buried By Husband’s Grave In Private Cemetry
-
Politics2 days agoG100 Opposition Summit Proposes Single 4-year Term
-
Business2 days agoNigeria’s GDP grew 4.43% in Q2 2026, says NBS
