Crime
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu faces EFCC grilling today

Suspended Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Minister Dr. Betta Edu will today be grilled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N585 million fraud in her ministry.
Edu, who was suspended yesterday by President Bola Tinubu, is being accused of paying the Humanitarian Fund into a private account.
The N585 million was meant for payment of grants to vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Cross River and Ogun states.
Edu is the first minister to be suspended from office since member of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) were sworn in in August last year.
Before her appointment as minister, she had served as Health commissioner in Cross River State and National Women Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Following her suspension, Edu was blocked from seeing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who had directed the anti-graft agency to thoroughly investigate the financial activities of the ministry and some of its agencies.
A source said that her access tag was withdrawn by a security agent at the State House, Abuja.
The President also directed a panel, headed by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, to investigate the financial structure and operations of the social investment programmes, with a view to restructuring relevant institutions and programmes.
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Senate Chief Whip Ali Ndume and Arewa Youth Consultative Forum hailed Edu’s suspension. They described it as upholding the anti-corruption disposition of the Administration.
The President’s directives on the probe were contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, in Abuja.
Edu, who was directed to hand over the affairs of the ministry to the Permanent Secretary, was also advised to cooperate fully with the investigating bodies
The statement reads: “In line with his avowed commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of the commonwealth of Nigerians, President Bola Tinubu suspends the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, from office with immediate effect.
“The President further directs the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the financial transactions involving the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as one or more agencies thereunder.
“The suspended Minister is hereby directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and she is further directed by the President to fully cooperate with the investigating authorities as they conduct their investigation.
“Furthermore, the President has tasked a panel that is headed by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance to, among other functions, conduct a comprehensive diagnostic on the financial architecture and framework of the social investment programmes, with a view to conclusively reforming the relevant institutions and programmes in a determined bid to eliminate all institutional frailties for the exclusive benefit of disadvantaged households and win back lost public confidence in the initiative.
“These directives of the President take immediate effect.”
Uzodimma: President’s action can’t be queried
The Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, (PGF) Uzodimma, said Edu’s suspension by the president cannot be queried. He told State House Reporters after visiting the President.
He said: “This is very clear. Whether progressive governor forum, or whether as governor of Imo State, we have only one president whose wisdom we cannot question. And what is more, if there are allegations and the President said I want to look into it, I think it’s consistent with the law and the oath of office he swore to.
“So, I don’t think it is something that we will begin to create a menu now for the media. So, et’s allow the sleeping dog to lie.”
Tinubu should dismantle ‘emerging political cartel’
Ndume, who represents Borno South District, commended Tinubu for suspending Edu over alleged diversion of funds.
The senator, who is currently in Saudi Arabia for the Lesser Hajj, also called on the President to as a matter of urgency, check the excesses of those he described as an ‘emerging political cartel,’ warning that it may be worse than a cabal.
The Senate Chief Whip, who spoke on phone, said: “What President Tinubu has done is very timely. The suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs is a welcome development. It will allow the relevant agencies to conduct a proper investigation.
”Some people in the same position Tinubu is today would not have acted. But, as a leader who is in charge, he acted swiftly and the minister has been suspended. We should commend the President. This is something Nigerians should commend.
“But the President should not stop there. There is an emerging political cartel within the corridors of power. The President must act swiftly and dismantle the cartel.”
“If they’re not stopped, they’ll be stronger and worse than a cabal. The President must not allow that to happen. I don’t think what the Minister did was an isolated case. I don’t think she acted alone.
“The President needs to look deep and flush out those involved in mismanaging the funds meant for humanitarian assistance. We are hopeful that the President will take more decisive actions in the future.”
Arewa youths: suspension okay
The AYCF hailed President Tinubu over the suspension, urging the EFCC to do a thorough job.
In a statement by its President General, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, the AYCF said the suspension has clearly shown the direction of the administration.
It reads: “The suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation is an indication that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has zero tolerance for any form of corruption.
“He has equally demonstrated capacity to run an administration that will not give room for anything that is capable of tarnishing his administration and this should be a signal to other Ministers to take redress.
“We as a youth body is hereby reiterate our support to the Tinubu administration and urge him to throw more search light on other of his cabinet members to ensure that they do not engage in any activities that will undermine his administration.
“With the present development, our eyes will be on all the serving ministers, with the view to exposing any of them with corrupt tendencies.”
Crime
Lynched Edo travellers: Governors move against reprisals as 16 slain hunters buried

Tears flowed on Saturday in Uromi, Edo State, as the remains of the hunters who were lynched by a mob were interred.
Members of the Hausa community converged on the community cemetery to pay their last respects to the victims, who were burnt to death on Friday after being accused of being kidnappers.
It was earlier reported that the men were travelling in a Dangote Cement truck when they were intercepted around 1.30pm by local security guards.
After the guards searched the truck and found dane guns, they raised the alarm, which triggered the mob attack.
‘19 hunters buried’
A video of the funeral rites posted on X by a security analyst, Zagazola Makama, showed the moment the victims were buried.
The 1 minute 29 seconds clip captured members of the Hausa community in a solemn mood as the wrapped corpses were placed beside large graves.
The man filming the burial, who spoke in Hausa, said, “Assalamualaikum, this time we will pray for the bodies of our brothers who were killed for us—those who were massacred. May God bless them with mercy, forgive them, and accept their martyrdom for the sake of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
“Here is the Muslim community; they have gathered now and will be offering funeral prayers for our brothers who were killed. Now, we will offer the prayer for them.
”An imam subsequently began praying on the bodies, marking the commencement of the rites.
The man behind the filming said the death toll had increased to 19.
“Remember yesterday (Friday): the bodies of three people were brought to us, and we were able to pray for them. But now, 16 more corpses have also been brought, and we will pray for them. May God Almighty forgive them.
“Look at their graves here. Because there are so many of them, it is not possible to dig individual graves for each one. Instead, they will be buried together in one place,” he stated.
The security analyst, Makama, said a mother clutched to the grave’s edge as she lamented the killing of her son.
“My son was not a kidnapper! He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time!” she sobbed.
He also said a father held to the photograph of his slain son.
The Ojuromi of Uromi, Anselm Aidenojie II, who visited the Hausa community alongside Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, during the burial, condemned the killings, noting that security agencies were taking measures to avert reprisals.
Aidenojie stressed that those responsible for the killings would be brought to justice.
“They (the victims) have been buried, and hopefully, this will never happen again in our community or anywhere else,” he added.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, in a statement, had said 14 suspects were arrested in connection with the incident.
Northern governors move to stop reprisals
Meanwhile, it was gathered that northern governors had started making moves to strengthen peace and forstall reprisals in the region.
The Director-General (Press Affairs) to the NGF Chairman and Governor of Gombe State, Ismaila Misili, said, “Let me unequivocally state that there is no tension in the North over the unfortunate incident in Edo State.
“Recall that northern governors, through their Chairman and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, had already issued a statement calling for calm and restraint.
“Individual governors in the North have also proactively engaged with relevant stakeholders to ensure peace, especially ahead of the Eid el-Fitr celebrations.
“Religious leaders also continue to promote peaceful coexistence and discourage any actions that might disrupt the harmony we have worked diligently to establish.
”Also, the Nasarawa State Government, while condemning the killings, called on security agencies to prosecute the perpetrators.
The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdullahi Sule on Public Affairs, Peter Ahemba, said security agencies had been placed on red alert to safeguard all 13 LGAs in the state.
He urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding, warning that anyone found disturbing the peace would be arrested.
“Governor Abdullahi Sule has said that no matter what, we must maintain peace in Nasarawa State. We have no room for such dastardly acts as seen in Edo.
“Security agencies have been placed on red alert to ensure that nothing untoward happens anywhere in the state regarding any reprisal attacks,” he said.
But the Borno State Government said it was still assessing the situation.
Speaking with newsmen, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, said the state had yet to receive any directive from the Northern Governors’ Forum.
Meanwhile, the Borno State Police Command said it had stepped up security patrols for the Sallah celebration.
The command’s spokesperson, ASP Nahum Daso, said strategic police deployments had been made to maintain order.
“What we currently have on the ground is Sallah preparation. We have deployed personnel in strategic positions. We are also conducting a show of force, which involves patrolling to ensure visibility.
This will help prevent any incidents that could lead to unrest, particularly those with religious undertones,” Daso said.
Politician places bounty on suspects
On social media, there was palpable anger among the Arewa on Saturday as some individuals also took to X, sharing images of some of the suspected attackers and placing N1m bounty on them.
A Social Democratic Party member based in Abuja, Ibrahim Sanusi, was among those spearheading the movement.
While posting on his verified X handle, he wrote, “N1million reward for anyone who can identify these criminals and provide information leading to their arrest. If you have any information, please come forward. #JusticeForUromi16.”
As of the time of filing this report, over 1,500 tweeps had retweeted the post, while it had gathered 3,600 likes and 124 quotes.
However, the Coalition of Northern Groups and the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum condemned the resort to self-help, warning that it could escalate tension across the country.
The CNG National Coordinator, Jamilu Charanchi, acknowledged that while the killing of innocent hunters was reprehensible, law enforcement agencies must be allowed to handle the matter.
“All we demand is for the police to expedite investigations so that the real perpetrators can be identified and brought to justice. This will help reduce tensions in the North,” he stated.
Charanchi further argued that no individual or group had the right to place a bounty on anyone, stressing that the law must take its course.
Similarly, the AYCF President, Yerima Shettima, cautioned against any form of retaliation, stressing that justice must be pursued within the framework of the law.
Northerners petition Tinubu, IGP, othersMeanwhile, Sanusi and over 100 others have launched a petition on Change.org, addressed to President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and Edo State Governor, Okpebholo.
As of 7pm on Saturday, no fewer than 273 people had signed the petition, demanding justice for the victims.
Crime
UK to ban selling weapons to children
The ninja sword ban is the final part of the so-called Ronan’s law, a raft of anti-knife crime measures introduced in parliament last month as part of the government’s crime and policing bill.

∆ UK PM Keir Starmer
The UK Home Office said on Thursday that from August 1, anyone caught in possession of a ninja sword in private could face six months in prison.
The forthcoming ban is intended to curb what the British government has called a “national” knife crime “crisis”.
The Home Office said most ninja swords had a blade of between 14 and 24 inches (36 and 61 centimetres), with one straight cutting edge and a tanto style — or sharply-angled — tip.
The Home Office said that there is already a penalty of up to four years in prison for carrying any weapon in public.
The ninja sword ban is the final part of the so-called Ronan’s law, a raft of anti-knife crime measures introduced in parliament last month as part of the government’s crime and policing bill.
The measures include making retailers report bulk or suspicious sales to police and a rise in jail terms to two years for selling weapons to children.
The law is named after teenager Ronan Kanda, who was murdered with a ninja sword in 2022 by two other teenagers in a case of mistaken identity.
Crime
JUST IN: Kogi jailbreak: 3 fleeing inmates nabbed as Correctional Service confirms killing of officer

Three of the 12 inmates who escaped during a jail break at Koton Karfe correctional centre in Kogi State have been rearrested.
The Acting Controller General, Nigeria Correctional Service, Sly Nwakuche disclosed this during a press briefing on Monday at the Koton Karfe correctional centre.
He regretted that one of the officers of the correctional service was killed by the escaped prison inmates.
Nwakuche vowed that the remaining escapee will be apprehended.
He called on the general public to provide security agencies with all the needed information that will lead to the arrest of all the prison inmates who escaped from custody.
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