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Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested seven suspected cultists and recovered ammunition.

The suspects are Promise Esenjor, 26, of Abavo; Wisdom Victor, 23, of Umunede; James Wisdom, 25, of Agbor; Chinedu Munonye, 22, of Issele-Uku; Onyemakonor Collins, 20, of Agbor; Unah Oluchi, 21, of Agbor; and Azomani Favour, 23, of Issele-Uku.

On 27 July 2026, operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit (SAKU), acting on credible intelligence, raided a criminal hideout in Issele-Uku and arrested the suspects.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Edafe Bright, confirmed that preliminary investigations revealed the suspects confessed to being members of the dreaded Maphite Confraternity.

“One double-barrel gun, seven live cartridges, one cutlass, one Maphite cult beret, seven Android phones and other incriminating exhibits were recovered from their hideout.”

He said that while the investigation was ongoing, operatives of Abraka Division, in a separate operation on 27 July 2026, acting on credible intelligence, foiled a planned gathering of suspected criminals along Omono Road, Abraka.

“While other suspects fled on sighting the police, one Wale Morakinyo, 27, was arrested.

“A search of a bag in his possession led to the recovery of two locally fabricated pistols and four live cartridges.

“The suspect is in custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects,” he stated.

The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, reassured all Deltans of the command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations against cultism and other violent crimes.

He urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to support ongoing efforts to keep Delta State safe.

Delta: Police arrest seven suspected cultists, recover double-barrel gun, other weapons

The Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has charged Nigeria and the entire African continent to be deliberate in adding value to the continent’s huge mineral resources before export. Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja at the 7th African Emerging Markets Forum hosted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the […]

The post WTO DG charges Nigeria, African countries on value addition export appeared first on Tribune Online.

The Osun State Police Command has arrested several suspects, including the Secretary to the Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, following an operation linked to an alleged vote-buying investigation in Osogbo.

This revelation was contained in a statement by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, on Wednesday.

The statement said the arrest was carried out during an operation in which officers also recovered millions of naira, electoral materials and other exhibits.

According to the statement, “the operation was carried out after the command received credible and actionable intelligence that a criminal gang was operating around the Oroki Estate area of Osogbo.”

The police said “the operation targeted a residential property linked to the Secretary to the Osun State Government (SSG), where officers were searching for a suspect identified as Abiodun Arowomole, popularly known as ‘Ashipa’, who is on the police watch list over alleged involvement in serious criminal offences, including murder.

“During the operation, police officers recovered a cash sum of N4,810,500, one Dynabook laptop, one photocopy machine, one printer, two Permanent Voter Cards and a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15.

“The command stated that all recovered items had been secured for forensic examination and further investigation.”

The command confirmed “the arrest of Teslim Igbalaye, 57, alongside Akande Taiwo, 60, Oladele Abiodun, 38, Adeyemo Lukman, 45, Olaoye Muftau, 50, and Aderemi Musliu, 40. The suspects were found within the premises during the operation and had been taken into lawful custody.”

Police said the recovery of the cash and voter register had raised concerns over possible electoral offences and other criminal activities, prompting investigators to broaden the scope of their enquiries.

“The recovery of the cash and the register containing voters’ details raises serious concerns regarding possible electoral offences and other criminal activities,” the statement said.

The command disclosed that investigators were examining possible offences under the Electoral Act 2022, including the alleged bribery of voters through the distribution of money or inducements intended to influence voting decisions.

It added that investigators were also considering allegations of criminal conspiracy and the possible harbouring or concealment of a wanted suspect.

The police stated that additional offences could emerge as investigations progress, depending on the outcome of forensic examinations and evidence gathered during the inquiry.

“The Osun State Police Command wishes to emphasise that these are serious allegations with far-reaching implications for public security, the administration of justice, and the credibility of the democratic process,” the statement added.

The command assured residents that investigations were being intensified to identify everyone connected with the recovered exhibits, determine the source and intended use of the recovered funds, and establish the full extent of any alleged criminal enterprise.

“I wish to assure the good people of Osun State that the Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its constitutional responsibility to enforce the law without fear or favour, affection or ill will. No individual, irrespective of social status, political affiliation or public office, is above the law. Any person found culpable at the conclusion of investigations will be prosecuted in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all applicable laws,” CP Gotan said.

BREAKING: Police arrest Osun SSG, others over alleged vote buying 

Ahead of the commencement of its new regional services to Bamako, Conakry, Douala and Libreville on

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The Board of Trustees of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has warned that beneficiary institutions with delayed intervention projects will not be considered for new projects in the 2027 allocation cycle.

The Chairman of the Board, Aminu Masari, gave the warning while announcing measures to address the persistent delays in the completion of TETFund-sponsored projects across tertiary institutions in the country.

Masari noted that the Board had identified several reasons for the unacceptable delays, including volatility in the prices of key building materials such as cement, reinforcement bars, and sanitary and electrical fittings.

He said it was in response to this challenge that the Board introduced a dedicated intervention line in 2023 specifically to support the completion of affected projects.

A recent review, according to him, confirmed that the initiative yielded positive results, with many of the affected projects now completed following the intervention.

However, the BOT Chairman expressed concern over the continued failure by some institutions to adhere to stipulated timelines for project delivery.

He attributed the recurring problem largely to lack of continuity in project implementation by heads of beneficiary institutions who prefer to abandon ongoing projects to start new ones, as well as delays in the processing of payments to contractors handling the projects.

The Board also warned that TETFund-sponsored projects will no longer be subjected to internal bureaucracy and politics within beneficiary institutions, stressing that such practices have continued to negatively impact project delivery.

To provide a lasting solution, the Board approved new measures for immediate implementation.

“All beneficiary institutions are to compile a comprehensive list of all projects that have exceeded their planned completion period by more than six months, indicating the causes of the delay and proffering remedies. The affected projects are to be ranked in order of relevance and priority, with detailed costing for their completion.

“In addition, institutions have been directed to put in place a robust and effective supervision team with the active participation of their Physical Planning and Maintenance Departments to ensure effective delivery of projects in terms of time, cost and quality standard,” he said.

The Board further directed that institutions with delayed projects must prioritize the completion of such projects under their Annual, Zonal and High Impact Intervention lines.

“Accordingly, no new projects will be admitted from the identified beneficiary institutions for the 2027 Intervention cycle,” Masari noted.

A statement signed by the Fund’s Director, Public Affairs Abdulmumin Oniyangi, disclosed that to enforce compliance, monitoring teams comprising members of the Board of Trustees and technical staff of the Fund will carry out on-the-spot assessment of the affected projects and examine proposals submitted by the institutions on plans for their completion.

The statement noted that the monitoring exercise is scheduled to hold within the months of August and September 2026, ahead of the October 2026 statutory meeting of the Board for the consideration of projects to be admitted into the 2027 disbursement guidelines.

TETFund Bars Institutions With Abandoned Projects From 2027 Funding is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections will not slow the execution of ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, insisting that his administration’s performance remains its strongest campaign message.

Speaking on Wednesday after inspecting major road projects in the capital, Wike said the FCT Administration would remain focused on delivering infrastructure rather than engaging in political rhetoric.

“We are already campaigning with our performance. The major campaign is to provide the dividends of democracy. What are you going to tell the people when you have nothing to show? Our campaign is showing what we have done,” he said.

The minister said governance and politics would not clash under his leadership, arguing that completed and ongoing projects across the FCT speak louder than campaign promises.

“All we have to do is go back to the people and tell them we made promises and kept them. People want to see your report card, not empty rhetoric. As far as the FCT is concerned, we have shown our report card, and we have no problem winning any election whenever INEC fixes it,” he added.

Wike spoke after inspecting the construction of Arterial Road N16 from Ring Road II to Ring Road III, linking Jahi, Gwarimpa and Karsana, being executed by CBC Global, as well as the 7.3-kilometre Tunga Madaki-Zuba Road connecting the Abuja-Kaduna Highway, being handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

Expressing satisfaction with progress on the Arterial Road N16 project, Wike said the contractor had assured the FCT Administration that the road would be completed by January.

“The road is very critical. If they deliver it by January as promised, I will be highly impressed. On our part, we will ensure adequate funding because once this road is completed, the entire Gwarimpa axis will be opened up,” he said.

On the Tunga Madaki-Zuba Road, the minister commended CCECC for maintaining its record of timely project delivery, disclosing that the company had pledged to complete the project by December.

“I’m very impressed with what they are doing. The promises we made during the flag-off and commissioning of these projects are likely to be fulfilled. Despite the rains slowing earthworks, they have concentrated on drainage construction, which is progressing well,” he said.

Wike also disclosed that he had approved the relocation of electricity poles along the road corridor to pave the way for the installation of streetlights.

He praised Chinese construction firms handling major projects in the FCT for commencing work without waiting for mobilisation payments, saying the confidence stemmed from the administration’s record of meeting its contractual obligations.

“What gives us happiness with these companies, particularly the Chinese companies, is that they don’t wait for mobilisation before starting work. They know the government will pay, and funding has not been a problem. As soon as I return to the office, I will ensure that funds are made available so we can achieve what we have promised,” he said.

The minister urged the contractors to maintain the quality and pace of work, while reaffirming the FCT Administration’s commitment to providing adequate funding to ensure projects are completed on schedule.

2027 Won’t Distract FCT Projects, Wike Says is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

HBM Nigeria Plc, formerly Lafarge Africa Plc, has reported a sharp improvement in profitability for the first half of 2026, with profit after

The post HBM Nigeria’s profit hits N208bn as margins widen appeared first on Tribune Online.

Veteran Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye collapsed during a court session in Kampala on Wednesday while standing trial on treason charges.

A senior official of the People’s Front for Freedom, Besigye’s political party, confirmed the incident, saying the 70-year-old was taken away in an ambulance after collapsing.

Court proceedings were subsequently postponed as prison guards moved to assist the 70-year-old opposition figure.

Besigye has been in custody since November 2024 after he was arrested in Kenya and returned to Uganda. He is facing treason charges, which he and his supporters have described as politically motivated.

The former presidential candidate has been a prominent critic of President Yoweri Museveni and has challenged him in several elections.

Besigye and his co-accused have denied the allegations. His repeated applications for bail have also been rejected.

His detention has attracted criticism from local and international rights groups, with concerns raised about his health and access to medical care.

Amnesty International said earlier this year that Besigye was seriously ill and required specialised medical attention outside detention conditions.

Officials from Uganda’s judiciary and prison authorities had not immediately commented on his condition or provided details about where he was taken.

Ugandan Opposition Leader Collapses During Treason Trial is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

United Capital Plc delivered a strong first-half 2026 performance, with profit after tax rising 77.5 per cent to N21.10 billion, as the

The post United Capital doubles H1 profit to N21.1bn appeared first on Tribune Online.

Nigerian streamer and content creator, Peller, has officially tied the knot with girlfriend, Jarvis.

The court marriage took place in Lagos on Wednesday, three days to their planned white wedding.

Footage circulating online showed the couple receiving their marriage documents to formalise their union.

The court marriage took place a few days after the couple announced on August 1, 2026 as their white wedding ceremony.

Their engagement took place in June during an event in Accra, Ghana, after the two lovers briefly went their separate ways following disagreements over Peller’s inability to keep parts of their relationship private. 

Also the couple held their traditional bride price ceremony on June 21, 2026 in Benin City, Edo State.

Watch the video

Peller legally marries Jarvis ahead of planned wedding reception [VIDEO]