News
JUST IN: Appeal Court Declares VIO Illegal In Nigeria
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has upheld the ban on Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO).
Delivering judgment on Thursday, a three-member panel of the appellate court resolved the three issues identified for determination against the appellant, the Directorate of Road Traffic Services.
Justice Oyejoju Oyebiola Oyewumi, who delivered the lead judgment, held that the appeal was without merit.
She awarded a cost of 1 million naira against the appellant and in favour of the respondent, a rights activist and public interest attorney, Abubakar Marshal.
Recall 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.”
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
BREAKING: Bandits Attack Mosque In Sokoto Community, Kill Imam, One Other, Abduct Worshippers
Bandits in the early hours of Saturday launched a deadly attack on worshippers observing the Subh prayer in Kiba Ruwa, a community in the Sabon-Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
According to local sources who spoke with Egbe Mekun Parrots, the assailants stormed the mosque at dawn, opening fire on the congregants.
Two people including the imam who was leading the prayer were confirmed dead.
Several worshippers were also abducted during the assault, with the exact number yet to be verified.
Security agencies have reportedly been alerted, while residents remain in a state of fear as search and rescue efforts begin.
In neighbouring Kebbi State, bandits weeks ago attacked the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, in the Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, where 26 schoolgirls were abducted.
All soldiers previously stationed at the school had been summoned to Abuja for interrogation as part of efforts to determine why the security post was vacated shortly before the attack.
Previously, SaharaReporters reported that Nasir Idris, the governor of Kebbi, expressed alarm over what he described as the “withdrawal of military personnel” from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, shortly before bandits stormed the facility and abducted several students.
The governor said the situation was particularly disturbing because the state had earlier received intelligence warning of a possible attack and had immediately convened a security meeting to address the threat.
“As a responsive government, when we received intelligence on a possible attack, we summoned a security meeting,” NAN quoted the governor as saying.
“The security agencies assured us that all was well and that personnel would be mobilised to the school.
“The military was deployed, but they later withdrew by 3am, and by 3:45am, the incident happened.”
Idris also said the state had demanded a thorough inquiry into the circumstances that led to the withdrawal of troops.
“Who authorised the military to withdraw?” How did security personnel pull out at such a critical time? That is our concern. We have asked the military to investigate and identify who gave that order,” the governor said.
The Maga District Head, Muhammad Dantani, also raised serious concerns over the role of the Nigerian military in the recent attack on Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Kebbi State, where armed bandits killed a staff member and abducted 25 students.
News
Just In: Nigerian Air Force Jet Crashes In Niger, Pilots Eject Safely (Video)
A Nigerian Air Force jet has reportedly crashed near Karabonde, in the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, with both pilots surviving the incident.
The crash was first reported by a Niger State-based online digital television network, Lapai TV, which posted the news on its official Facebook account on Saturday evening.
The post read, “Two Nigerian Air Force Pilots Reportedly Survive Alpha Jet Crash Close to Karabonde, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State,” and was accompanied by a 57-second-long video.
Eyewitnesses who spoke with Punch corroborated the reports, with one villager providing details of the crash in a 48-second-long voice note via WhatsApp and a 59-second-long video.
The witness explained that the pilots successfully ejected from the aircraft before it went down. He further mentioned that the aircraft had likely taken off from the Kainji Air Force Base and that the Air Force was mobilizing to the crash site.
“I think the aircraft took off from the Kainji Air Force Base. We learnt that the Air Force is mobilizing to the crash site,” the witness said.
Lukman Sulaiman, a villager who spoke with Punch, confirmed the incident, stating that the crash occurred around 4:10 PM, not far from the town. “It landed very close to town, but God so good, the pilots ejected safely,” Sulaiman said.
When asked if the pilots were injured, he assured, “Yes, we heard a noisy landing crash. We were scared, but we eventually started trooping back to the scene.”
Two videos spotted by Naija News show the aircraft engulfed in flames at the crash site. The military has not yet issued an official statement regarding the crash at the time of filing this report.
Watch the video below:
News
Emefiele Denies Terrorism Financing Allegations
Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has categorically denied allegations that he is involved in financing terrorism, describing the claim as “mischievous” and “malicious.”
In a statement issued on Saturday, December 6, 2025, Emefiele strongly rejected reports linking him to terrorism financing, calling the accusations “fabricated” and “baseless.”
The statement emphasised that the allegations were a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation and mislead the public for unclear motives.
Emefiele expressed deep concern over the growing trend of irresponsible reporting, especially on such a serious matter as terrorism financing.
He stated that the fight against terrorism should not be trivialised, and that the Nigerian public deserves better than the “reckless misinformation” being peddled by some media outlets.
According to Emefiele, “Throughout my service to the nation or even in my private life, at no time have I been involved in any activity remotely connected to terrorism, terrorist financing, or any action that threatens the peace and security of our nation.
“I have also Never been invited, questioned or investigated on any allegation of terrorism financing. I have also never met or had any interaction with the person who granted that interview.
“There is no scintilla of truth in the allegation, and I insist that the allegation is the product of pure mischief crafted by misguided elements for their despicable motives.
“While I urge the public to disregard the publication in its entirety, I also urge the press to refrain from publishing falsehoods and sensational claims without evidence or due diligence and verification of facts.”
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