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Panic in Bauchi over ‘strange’ hovering aircraft

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Residents of communities in Bauchi state are currently in panic mode because of a strange aircraft hovering over the sky.

A resident who spoke to Nationwide Reports in confidence said the panic was triggered by the fear that the aircraft may be monitoring team for bandits or illegal miners.

He said the people are worried even after the state government had recently bought motorcycles and other equipment for vigilantes to fight terrorists and bandits.

Reacting to the development, the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, operating under the Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification (MinDiver) Project, a World Bank-assisted initiative said there was no need for people to panic as the aircraft was on a national assessment.

A statement by Ishaku KIGBU, the Media/Communication Officer of the Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification Project (MinDiver) at the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in Abuja, was released to journalists in Bauchi on Sunday.

The statement explained that the Ministry is currently conducting an airborne geophysical survey to determine precise mineral locations and geological data.

He said that the initiative aims to enhance economic diversification by providing accurate geological information and data to attract investments in the solid minerals sector, aligning with the present administration’s Renewed Hope agenda.

The activity is supported by the Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification Project (MinDiver) and is carried out by an international consultant named Excalibur.

It involves the use of yellow-coloured small aircraft fitted with aeromagnetic lenses to conduct aeromagnetic surveys in selected states of the Federation, including Bauchi State.

After conducting thorough sensitisation in the state earlier, the Ministry emphasised that the activity is ongoing and that the state will witness the flying of these special aircraft at very low altitudes in a repeated pattern to capture magnetic anomalies.

The survey in Bauchi State will cover Alkaleri, Bauchi, Bogoro, Dass, Kirfi, Tafawa Balewa, and Toro Local Government Areas (LGAs).

The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development assures the affected LGAs and the public not to panic or entertain fears, as the activity is safe.

Given the prevailing security situation in the country, this reassurance is crucial to ensuring that misinformation or disinformation does not cause unnecessary concerns among the populace.

 

 

 

 

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Supreme Court to rule on ADC, PDP cases Thursday

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The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.

According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.

While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.

 

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Tinubu to reconstitute NHRC board, retains Ojukwu as ES/CEO

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President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.

Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.

Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.

Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.

The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.

He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.

If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.

Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.

 

 

 

 

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Breaking: EFCC investigates Pastor Jerry Eze over alleged money laundering

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has revealed that it investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him.

Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Commission, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.

According to him, the probe was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions after the commission observed large inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account.

“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account, a domiciliary account. Dollars, pounds were dropping in like raindrops, from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.

“I said who is this man? Yes, I’ve been hearing about his name, I’ve seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor.

“So they said this one pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books,” Olukoyede stated.

The EFCC boss said he subsequently invited Eze for questioning after preliminary findings were compiled by investigators.

He added that upon meeting the cleric and reviewing the findings of the investigation, the commission found no wrongdoing.

“So he came to my office. He told me what happens and all of that, and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.

“I said, you know what, I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he stated.

The remark drew applause from the audience, as Eze, who was present at the event, acknowledged the commendation.

He noted that the commission has a responsibility not only to investigate financial crimes but also to recognise individuals found to have acted with integrity.

The EFCC chairman, however, stated that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, stressing that its preventive mandate remains critical in tackling corruption.

 

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