Top Nigerian Stories (Featuring DG NIA, Edo Election, Ododo, And More)

Good evening.

Here is EKO HOT BLOG’s roundup of top stories in Nigeria today, August 24, 2024.

Ahmed Rufai Resigns as DG of NIA
The Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, has resigned from his position. Rufai tendered his resignation to President Bola Tinubu on Saturday, though no specific reasons were provided for his decision.

Rufai was first appointed in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari and was reappointed in December 2021.

20 Kidnapped Medical Students Rescued in Benue
Twenty medical students who were kidnapped in Benue State have been rescued.

Security sources close to the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) confirmed the successful operation to Channels Television on Friday. The rescue was coordinated by the NSA.

Osun Governor Clears Air on N1bn Church Donation
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State clarified that the state government is not linked to the N1 billion donation to the Cherubim and Seraphim Church by his brother, Deji Adeleke.

In a statement released on Saturday by his spokesperson, Governor Adeleke emphasized that the donation was a private philanthropic gesture by his elder brother, a business mogul.

Governor Ododo Denies Plans to Leave APC
Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has strongly refuted claims that he plans to leave the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for another political party.

In a statement signed by Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, the governor dismissed the rumors as baseless and urged the public to disregard the falsehoods.

National Assembly Appoints New PCC Commissioners

The National Assembly announced the appointment of the Chief Commissioner and Commissioners for the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) on Saturday.

The new Chief Commissioner is Alhaji Bashir Abubakar from Kaduna State. The announcement was made in a statement signed by Barde Umoru, on behalf of the Clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Sani Magaji Tambawal.

Federal High Court Orders 60-Day Remand of Protesters
A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted a police request to remand 124 #EndBadGovernance protesters for 60 days pending further investigation.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in separate rulings, granted the interim order following ex-parte motions moved by Ibrahim Mohammed, counsel for the Inspector-General of Police.

Federal Ministry Unveils Draft National Tourism Policy
The Federal Ministry of Tourism has unveiled a Draft National Tourism Policy, aimed at positioning Nigeria as a leader in global tourism.

The Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Lola Ade-John, announced the policy during a virtual meeting with stakeholders on Saturday in Abuja.

INEC Prepares for September 21st Election
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 2,629,050 registered voters are set to participate in the September 21st election.

INEC disclosed this last week when it presented the Certified True Copy of the updated Voters Register to the seventeen political parties participating in the election.

Nasarawa Police Arrest Woman with Ammunition
The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested Hauwa Sani of Doro village, Katsina State, for allegedly being in possession of 124 rounds of anti-aircraft ammunition.

The suspect, along with a two-year-old child, was apprehended in Rafin Sanyi village, Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, according to a statement by the State Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Ramhan Nansel.