News

FG begins reconstruction of Eastern rail line corridor – NRC

Published

5 months ago

July 9, 2025

ADMIN

By Francesca Hangeior

The Nigerian Railway Corporation says the Federal Government has begun reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Eastern railway corridor.

The Railway District Manager, Eastern District, Enugu, Mr Victor Adamu, stated this while responding to a national survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria, on abandonment of railway lines in the country, in Enugu on Wednesday.

Adamu said that the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the narrow gauge tracks had commenced from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to Aba, in Abia State.

According to him, the narrow gauge traversed the eastern district, from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, Borno State and other parts of Nigeria.

“This district covers Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Rivers and part of Egbede in Benue State, which is our boundary with the north central district of about 110 kilometers.

“I am very happy to state that the segment of the contract was handed over to NRC on Nov. 28, 2024.

“We have our coaches that are running from Port Harcourt to Aba and back to Port Harcourt, five days in a week,” he explained.

He acknowledged that there was a suspension of work from Aba in Umuahia down to Enugu.

Adamu, however, said that the Federal Government is doing everything possible to ensure that the construction and rehabilitation on the remaining part of the contract commence soon.

The district manager explained that, through the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, work on the narrow gauge had resumed.

“This is a project that the Southeast and other parts of the country will benefit from.

“The Federal Government is doing a lot to see that the rail lines are working again.

“Sometime in April, the Managing Director of NRC, Mr Kayode Opeifa, visited Enugu and we had some meaningful discussions with the governors of Abia and Enugu States.

“I believe that the visit will really bring out a lot of things that are going to happen on this corridor,’’ he said.

According to Adamu, there is a policy introduced by Tinubu’s administration that allows state governments to invest in railways.

He disclosed that the Anambra, Abia and Enugu state governments were ready to key into the policy.

“With this, I believe that very soon, we will start seeing the dividends from these policies,” Adamu said.

He, however, described the activities of vandals as the biggest challenge to NRC, especially as it concerned their track materials and other facilities.

According to him, in securing the railway infrastructure, NRC is working with the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, military and vigilante groups.

Adamu said that through the collaboration of the NRC, police, military, and NSCDC, they made arrests of suspected vandals, and some of them were already facing trial.

“There are some suspected vandals who were arrested in Imo, Rivers and Enugu states.

“We are doing these because these facilities are meant for Nigerians, and we are expected to own them as Nigerians. This will go a long way in keeping them intact.

“Our officials are still going around to see that these facilities are protected,’’ the district manager said.

The railway operations stopped in Enugu for over two decades.

News

Seven Suspected Bandits Nabbed Along Benin–Agbor Road in Edo State

Published

42 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

ADMIN

Seven suspected bandits were nabbed along the Benin–Agbor Road in Edo State during stop-and-search operations, security sources have confirmed.

According to sources, the suspects, all identified as Fulani youths, were intercepted after being offloaded from a truck at around 6:00 p.m. on 2 December 2025. A search of their mobile phones reportedly revealed pictures of assault rifles, including AK-47s.

During interrogation, the suspects claimed they had traveled from Adamawa State. Investigations are ongoing to recover any actual firearms and to determine their possible involvement in criminal activities.

Security agencies have urged members of the public to report any suspicious movements to help prevent criminal acts in the area.

News

Finally , Appeal Court bars VIO from stopping, impounding cars

Published

52 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

ADMIN

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld a Federal High Court ruling from October 4, 2024, that prohibits the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) from stopping, impounding, or seizing vehicles, as well as imposing fines on motorists.

The appellate court’s decision affirmed the lower court’s ruling, dealing a significant blow to the agency’s enforcement powers.

A three-member panel of the appellate court delivered a judgment on Thursday, resolving the three issues identified for determination against the appellant, the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, thereby upholding the lower court’s decision.

Justice Oyejoju Oyebiola Oyewumi, who delivered the lead judgment, held that the appeal was without merit. She awarded a cost of N1million against the appellant and in favour of the respondent, a rights activist and public interest attorney, Abubakar Marshal.

Previously, the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court had ruled that the Directorate of Road Services (widely known as VIO) should cease confiscating vehicles or imposing fines on Nigerians over road traffic violations.

Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha said while delivering judgment in FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023 on October 2, 2024, that the notorious road traffic inspectorate was not legally equipped to seize vehicles or impose severe sanctions on motorists.

The judgment, which followed a lawsuit by rights attorney Mr Marshal of Falana and Falana Chambers, significantly pruned the powers of one of the country’s most dreaded road traffic enforcers and brought respite to millions of motorists across the country.

The order did not apply to the Federal Road Safety Corps, which has operated for decades as the largest body of road traffic marshals in Nigeria.

In her judgment, Ms Maha said VIO officers “are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound, confiscate the vehicles of motorists and or impose fine on motorists.”

Subsequently, the judge entered an order of perpetual injunction restraining the VIO and its agents, privies, allies or anybody acting on its behalf from further violating the rights of Nigerians to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence and right to own property without lawful justification.

News

PDP constitutes Caretaker Committees for Ekiti, Lagos States(See full list)

Published

4 hours ago

December 4, 2025

ADMIN

The Peoples Democratic Party PDP has constituted caretaker committees for Lagos and Ekiti states.

This was contained in a release signed by the party’s Organising Secretary, Hon Umar Bature.

The party stated that: Accordingly, your Committee is charged with the responsibility of running the
affairs of the Party in Ekiti State, as stipulated in section 21(2) (a-b) of our Party’s Constitution, for a period of one months (30 days) or until a new Executive is elected.
In carrying out this assignment you are guided strictly by the PDP Constitution (2017, as amended), The Electoral Act as amended 2010 and the Constitution
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.

“It is expected that your exemplary conduct and strict adherence to rules and
regulations during your assignment will justify the confidence reposed in you by the leadership of the party.

See list below:

Elder Kayode Ogunbiyi
Chairman
Lagos State Caretaker Committee
Peoples Democratic Party
Lagos State
APPOINTMENT OF LAGOS STATE CARETAKER COMMITTEE
The National Working Committee (NWC) of our great Party (PDP) has on behalf of the
National Executive Committee (NEC) Pursuant to Section 29 (2) (b) of our Constitution
(2017 as amended), approved your appointment as Chairman of Lagos State
CARETAKER COMMITTEE which is composed as follows:
(1) Elder Kayode Ogunbiyi
(2) Chief Adele Bankole
(3) Mrs. Akinro Bolaji Rosaline
(4) Mrs. Adebimpe Maria
(5) Mrs. Ege Allen
(6) Mr. Ifeanyi Okeke
-Chairman
-Vice Chairman
-Member
-Member
-Member
-Member
(7) Chief Adio Salami
-Member
(8) Alh. Abiola Tella
-Member
(9) Prince Gani Ogungbayi
-Member
(10) Mr. Odum Kalu
-Member
(11) Mr. Ola Odunfa
-Member
(12) Mrs. Iberu Taiwo
-Member
(13) Mr. Solomon Yusoof
-Member
(14) Mr. Olusanya Abayomi
-Member
(15) Mr. Samson Hundeyin
-Member
(16) Mr. Oriyomi Oluwafemi
-Member
(17) Mrs. Ijeoma Eze
-Member
(18) Mr. Olayinka Samuel
-Member
(19) Mr. Jamiu Awofala
-Secretary
Website: www.peoplesdemocraticparty.com.ng t: @OfficialsPDPNig | F: @Officialpdpnig 15:55
Accordingly, your Committee is charged with the responsibility of running the affairs
of the Party in Lagos State, as stipulated in section 21(2) (a-b) of our Party’s
Constitution, for a period of one months (30 days) or until a new Executive is elected.
In carrying out this assignment you are guided strictly by the PDP Constitution (2017,
as amended), The Electoral Act as amended 2010 and the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.
It is expected that your exemplary conduct and strict adherence to rules and
regulations during your assignment will justify the confidence reposed in you by the
leadership of the party.
Congratulations
Hon. Umar M. Bature
National Organizing Secretary
[12/4, 4:06 PM] George: PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP)
POWER TO THE PEOPLE
Motto: Justice, Unity and Progress
POWER TO THE PEOPLE
National secretariate: Wadata Plaza, Plot 1970, Micheal Okpara Street, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.
Monday, December 01, 2025
Omolashe Lanre
Chairman,
Ekiti State Caretaker Committee,
Peoples Democratic Party,
Ekiti State.
APPOINTMENT OF EKITI STATE PDP CARETAKER COMMITTEE
The National Working Committee (NWC) of our great Party (PDP) has on behalf
of the National Executive Committee (NEC) Pursuant to Section 29 (2) (b) of
our Constitution (2017 as amended), approved your appointment as Chairman
of Ekiti State CARETAKER COMMITTEE which is composed as follows:
1) OMOLASHE LANRE
Chairman
2) FEMI PHILLIPS
Member
3) HON.GANI BAKARE
Member
4) HON AKANDE BABATUNDE
Member
5) TOSIN JOEL
Member
6) AYILARAN MODUPE
Member
7) PELEMON DARE
Member
8) CHIEF AROGBODO AYODELE
Member
9) SEGUN OLATUNJI
Member
10) BAR GBENGA AGBEDE
Member
11) SESAN OWOEYE
Member
12) GBENGA OJUAWO
13) ARINDE JIMOH
Member
Membet
14) ADARA ROTIMI
Member
15) BANJI ADELEKE
Member
16) CHIEF TUNDE OGUNLEYE
Member/Secretary.