Author: Shola Taofeek Salihu

PDP demands transparency in healthcare spending, while government defends its record A heated exchange of words has erupted between the Kwara State People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the state government led by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq. The dispute revolves around the implementation of the Primary Health Care Under One Roof (PHCUOR) policy and the utilization of funds allocated for healthcare in the state. Recall that in the latest Primary Healthcare Index report released by the Primary Health Care Under One Roof (PHCUOR), Kwara State was ranked as the third worst-performing state in primary healthcare across Nigeria. This revelation comes as a…

In a daring and in-depth investigative report, The Informant247 shed light on the persistent and thriving issue of rice smuggling across Nigeria’s borders, particularly in the Baruteen Local Government Area. This comprehensive piece by Salihu Ayatullahi delves into the intricate network of smugglers, the complicity of security officials, and the economic and social factors driving this illicit trade. The narrative begins with a vivid portrayal of the scene: hundreds of motorcycles revving to life in Kenu, Nigeria, as determined young smugglers prepare to embark on their mission to bring rice from neighbouring Benin Republic into Nigeria. The story sets the…

The special report titled “Inside Kwara Court, where Judges, lawyers battle for space with panel-beaters, mechanics” by Kayode Adeoti is a commendable report that highlights a grave issue affecting the administration of justice in Kwara State, Nigeria. Adeoti, a radio journalist and a freelance contributor with The Informant247, shed light on a matter that calls for immediate attention from the authorities. The report takes us into the heart of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, where the Ipata/Oloje Market, a bustling hub for trading vehicle spare parts and automotive services, uncomfortably coexists with the Upper Area Court II. The juxtaposition of…

In an utterly mind-boggling turn of events, President Bola Tinubu has descended upon Nigeria like a thunderstorm, shaking the nation to its core with his audacious actions aimed at reforming the country’s financial sector. Despite his questionable integrity and notorious political influence, Nigerians overwhelmingly voted for him, not because they believed in his ability to eradicate corruption or tackle the cabal, but because they had high hopes for economic stability. Oh, the irony! When the name Tinubu is mentioned, one usually thinks of a political warlord who effortlessly navigates the treacherous waters of politics to enrich himself. His past governance…

Dozens have been reportedly killed by an explosion that occurred at a pipeline tapping point in Rumuekpe community, Emohua Local Government Area, Rivers State. The Informant247 gathered the deceased were said to be engaged in the business of illegal refining of stolen crude oil. Fyneface Fyneface, the Executive Director, Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), confirmed the incident through the centre’s Crude Oil Spill Alert System (COSAS), saying the explosion happened at about 2am on Friday when a driver kicked the ignition of one of the buses loaded with stolen crude oil. The bus was being used to transport the…

Lola Ashiru, the incumbent Senator representing the axis, seems to be the odd one out in this election. Despite being a member of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), his popularity and acceptance among the people cannot be compared to that of the PDP’s Senator Rafiu Ibrahim and the SDP’s Prof. Wale Sulyman. Ashiru’s campaign seems to be struggling to gain traction and it remains to be seen if he can turn things around before the election. The Igbomina sentiment also seems to be playing a role in the election, with Prof. Wale Sulyman enjoying the support of…

The upcoming election in Ilorin West and Asa is no doubt a tussle between two political heavyweights, Ibrahim Ajia and Muktar Shagaya. The fact that both candidates are from different major political parties, with Ajia representing the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Shagaya representing the All Progressives Party (APC), only adds to the already intense political atmosphere. Ajia’s strong grassroots political background and understanding of the local politics of the area have given him an edge over his opponent, Muktar Shagaya. However, Shagaya’s family name, which is synonymous with wealth, cannot be overlooked. He has been working twice as hard…

The political entry of Bukola Saraki into Kwara state has caused a stir in the political atmosphere. As an erstwhile political leader who once enjoyed a lot of clout in the state, his return is seen as an attempt to redeem his lost dynasty. However, a lot has changed since he was last active in politics in the state. One major change is that the clout that Saraki solely enjoyed in the past is now being shared with other political leaders. Campaigning for the 2023 elections has also become more difficult and is no longer the easy path to the…

Environmental workers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have issued threat to shut down all public cemeteries in Abuja, the country capital. The workers, have locked up Gudu cemetery in Abuja. The workers have surrendered to pressure from the Presidency, and opened the facility on Thursday morning. The angry workers attributed their action to the failure of FCT Administration to implement a new salary structure for them. Comrade Muktar Bala, Chairman of Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) in AEPB, said although the union has agreed to reopen some cemeteries, it would shut…

A combined team of police and military troops have foiled the attack on Akwando village, in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State by bandits, on Monday. The Police spokesman in Kaduna State, ASP Mohammed Jalige, explained that the troops killed one of the bandits and recovered one AK-47 rifle during the operation. According to the spokesman, the team acted on information received at about 4 p.m. on Monday that suspected bandits had stormed Akwando village in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State. He added that the team immediately mobilised to the village and repelled the bandits. Jalige said,…

For raping two underage girls, an Ekiti High Court, presided over by Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, has sentenced one Hussein Isah to life imprisonment on Monday. The prosecution proved that Isah raped the two children aged 11 years and 12 years at Ilasa-Ekiti sometime in January 2020. Isah is a cotenant of the 11-year-old-girl and her mother, while the 12-year-old girl is a friend of the former whom she visited regularly. The prosecution told the court that the girls usually ran errands for Isah and they did house chores for him, which led to their closeness. Isah lured the girls with…

At least 70 people were killed during an attack on some communities in the Kanam local government area of Plateau State. The assault on Sunday also left several wounded, sources disclosed. The affected communities, where the property was also razed are Kukawa, Gyambawu, Dungur, Kyaram, Yelwa, Dadda, Wanka, Shuwaka, Gwammadaji, and Dadin Kowa. Given the figure of dead bodies discovered, a resident who gave his name simply as Ibrahim said “…on Sunday many motorcycles, each one carrying three bandits stormed the communities. This incident happened when people were clearing their farms in preparation for raining season, some people were going…

A 19-year-old apprentice, Babatunde Bobola, has been remanded in the Akure Correctional Centre by an Akure Magistrate Court for allegedly raping an eight-year-old girl. The defendant was charged with rape by men from the Ondo State Security Network Agency, called Amotekun Corps. The defendant committed the offence on March 24, 2021, at Odige Street, according to the State Prosecutor, O.F Akeredolu. Akeredolu claimed that the defendant had carnal knowledge of an eight-year-old girl. The charge read “That you, Babatunde Bobola, did have carnal knowledge of an eight-year-old girl on or about March 24, 2022, at approximately 16:00 hours, at Odige…

The embattled Mogaji of Akorede, Budo Osho, Tanke Area in Ilorin, AbdulGaniyu Yahya Akorede, has been remanded in the Correctional Service Centre, for allegedly hiring hoodlums to distort the peace of the community. The Informant247 gathered that the Mogaji who was dragged before a Sango Magistrate court, presided over by Magistrate Hanafi Folorunsho, had been evading police arrest until bench warrant was issued against him by the court. According to the police First Information Report (FIR), one Habeeb Abdullahi of Fate Road, Ilorin, reported the presence of suspected hoodlums on a disputed site at Budo Osho, when he was allegedly…

A 44-year-old man, Zakariya Ya’u, has been arrested by the Police in Borno State for allegedly raping a 92-year-old woman. The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abdu Umar, told newsmen in Maiduguri on Thursday that Ya’u allegedly committed the crime at Mufa “A’’ ward in Askira Uba Local Government Area of the state. He said that the woman was sitting close to an uncompleted building when she was dragged into the building and raped by the suspect on March 24. He said that the woman was screaming for help and was too weak to fight back against her rapist, instead,…

The Concerned Igbo Stakeholders Forum (CISF), an NGO, has urged political parties to consider zoning their presidential tickets to the South-East, for fairness and equity to prevail. The forum noted that the South-East was blessed with competent and qualified candidates who can unite the country and lead it to greater prosperity from 2023 upwards. The Convener of the group, Mr Chukwuma Okenwa, said this at a news conference held on Friday in Enugu. Okenwa said that in the “spirit of one Nigeria” and “sense of belonging”, the issue of the president of the country from the South-East should be a…

Pending the conclusion of investigations, Two lawmakers – members of Zamfara State House of Assembly were on Tuesday suspended over the allegation of ties to bandits. The Assembly, through its Director-General Press Affairs and Public Relations, Mustapha Jafaru Kaura, asked the lawmakers to stay off the assembly for three months. Daily Trust reports that the affected lawmakers are Yusuf Muhammad, Anka representing Anka Constituency, and Ibrahim T. Tukur Bakura, representing the Bakura constituency of the state. Kaura said, “They are also to appear before the House Committee on ethics and privileges in conjunction with security agencies that are assigned by…

A 30-year-old Sunday Ukeme, who confessed that he defiled (rape) his neighbour’s 13-year-old daughter, says it’s under the influence of alcohol. The suspect who is now cooling his heels in Akodo Police Station, Lagos allegedly rape the minor after the suspect’s wife left for a vigil in a church in the neighbourhood. The Lagos State Police Command’s spokesperson, Adekunle Ajisebutu confirmed that the suspect was arrested on October 4, 2021, saying that the incident occurred at about 10.23 pm, on September 20, 2021, in Idaso town, Ibeju Lekki, Ajisebutu narrated that the victim’s mother who travelled out of town for…

A director in the Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Khalid Ibrahim Ndaman was found dead in his office in Ilorin, officials of the Ministry, who pleaded anonymity, have said. THE INFORMANT247 gathered that the body of Ndaman, who was until his death the Director of Veterinary in the Ministry, was found in the office early Monday, even though the circumstances surrounding the death remain sketchy. Police are yet to issue any official statement on this incident as at this moment.

As Nigeria enters the second wave of a pandemic that has gripped the world for much of 2020, the number of daily reported deaths is on the increase, while both the number of infections and admissions to hospitals continue to rise. Nigerians still do not want to experience another lockdown. COVID-19 was, before another sudden upsurge, believed to have died a natural death’, “an assumption” drawn out of the sudden decrease in the number of cases as some state did record not even a single case for weeks. The assumption, lead to the hypothesis that most Nigerians had contracted the…