Troops rescue 74 NYSC members from kidnappers hotspot in Borno.

In a dramatic late-night operation, troops of the Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai, rescued 74 stranded National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members from what could have been a major abduction by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya Road in Borno State.

According to the Force’s Media Information Officer, Sani Uba, the incident occurred around 9:05 p.m. on Tuesday after the corps members 36 males and 38 females were left stranded when their 3 buses broke down near a notorious kidnapping hotspot.

Uba revealed that troops swiftly moved in after a military surveillance system picked up suspicious movement involving the vehicles.

“On arrival, troops discovered the stranded NYSC members and quickly moved to secure them from a likely Boko Haram or ISWAP attack,” he stated.

The rescued corps members are currently being sheltered at the Buratai military base while arrangements for their safe evacuation are underway.

This latest intervention follows a string of successful counterterrorism operations in Borno, where troops recently rescued 86 kidnapped victims and arrested 29 suspected terrorist logistics suppliers.

Earlier this week, the 135 Special Forces Battalion under Sector 2 OPHK intercepted Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters at Dutse Kura, destroying 11 terrorist structures and recovering a cache of weapons, vehicles, and motorcycles.

Security officials have hailed the swift response as a major success in ongoing efforts to protect civilians and dismantle terrorist strongholds in the North East.

"You don’t have NYSC certificate" — Lagos CP informs Activist Sowore.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police has fired back at activist Omoyele Sowore, describing him as unqualified to question the competence of the police leadership in the state.

Reacting to comments made by Sowore in a recent interview, the Commissioner said he has served diligently for over nine months and has demonstrated professionalism in his duties.

“During his interview, he said the Commissioner of Police is not competent. I am very competent. I’ve been here for more than nine months,” he stated. “Even in court, where the accused person shows good conduct, the prosecution still has the right to point out his bad conduct.”

He further alleged that Sowore lacks a valid National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate, claiming that although the activist was posted to Adamawa, he never completed the mandatory one-year service.

“I want to make it abundantly clear Sowore doesn’t have an NYSC certificate. He was posted to Adamawa and never did his service. So such a person, who isn’t qualified to bear the NYSC certificate of our great country Nigeria, cannot be the one calling others miscreants or disturbing the peace of Lagos. We won’t allow it,” the Commissioner said.

The police remarks have sparked reactions online, with many calling for restraint and others demanding proof to back the allegations. Sowore is yet to respond publicly to the Commissioner’s comments.

Sowore does not have NYSC certificate – Lagos CP.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has accused human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, of not having the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, certificate.

Jimoh made this disclosure on Wednesday when he appeared as a guest on ‘Sunrise Daily’, a programme on Channels Television monitored by DAILY POST.

The police commissioner had declared Sowore wanted for allegedly planning to incite public disorder and obstruct major roads in the state.

“I want to make it abundantly clear that Sowore doesn’t have a NYSC certificate because of punitive reasons. He was posted to Adamawa, and he was evasive. He never did his service.

“So such a person that is not even qualified to bear the NYSC certificate of our great country, Nigeria, will now be coming out to disturb the peace of Lagos? We will not allow it,” he said.

15,000 Candidates Forged Admission Letters to Participate in NYSC Scheme – JAMB.

The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, has revealed that the agency identified 15,000 candidates who forged admission letters to qualify for participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Speaking on Monday at the 2025 Batch C pre-mobilisation workshop in Abuja, Oloyede confirmed that those involved are being prosecuted for alleged forgery.

He further disclosed that 17 Deputy Vice-Chancellors, several Deputy Registrars, and four JAMB staff are currently in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over similar allegations.

BREAKING NEWS: Six NYSC corps members in viral video have sued the Anambra State Government, demanding N1 billion in damages over their alleged assault and unlawful detention by operatives of the state vigilante group, Agunechemba.

Tunji-Ojo certificate saga: Prove you’re not shielding South-West ministers – Gani to Tinubu.

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Taofik Gani, has urged President Bola Tinubu to prove his transparency and fairness by directing the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to publicly clear his name over alleged irregularities in his National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, record and previous corruption allegations.

Gani made this call in a statement on Wednesday, warning that the growing perception of nepotism and selective justice in the Tinubu administration could undermine public confidence in the government’s anti-corruption efforts.

He said there are several petitions against Tunji-Ojo, including claims that he absconded during his mandatory NYSC service year but still presented a discharge certificate during his ministerial screening.

“If President Tinubu and his party, the APC, are sincere about fighting corruption, the minister should be directed to clear himself or resign honorably like Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, who resigned after allegations of certificate forgery.

“This is where President Tinubu has to prove that he is not shielding South-West ministers in corruption cases,” Gani stated.

Convener of the League for Good Governance, Isaiah Ijele, urged Tinubu to allow the Department of State Services, DSS, to investigate the certificate scandal hung on the minister.

Senator Patrick Abba Moro Mourns Son and Grandson in Devastating Double Tragedy.

The family of Senate Minority Leader, Senator Patrick Abba Moro, has been hit by a heartbreaking double tragedy, following the loss of his son and grandson within just two days.

According to information obtained by DAILY POST, the Senator’s son, Victor Moro, recently returned to Nigeria after completing his studies in Turkey, in preparation for his participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.

Tragically, Victor lost his life in a fatal car accident along the Mararaba axis in Nasarawa State, barely 24 hours after the burial of his nephew — Senator Moro’s grandson.

Reports indicate that Victor was travelling from the family residence to attend to personal matters when the accident occurred.

The successive losses have plunged the Moro family and their close associates into deep mourning, with many describing the situation as a devastating and unimaginable blow.

Addressing forgery, perjury in public office .

Nigeria for long has allowed high profile individuals to get away with crimes while less fortunate Nigerians rightfully pay the price for their sins.

One major area prominent Nigerians, especially political and judicial officers, get away with is forgery and perjury, both criminal offences.

A few weeks ago, following several denials and feeble pushbacks, Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, was forced to resign from the government of President Bola Tinubu after being exposed in the web of certificate forgery by online newspaper, Premium Times.

Nnaji was found to have forged his BSc and National Youth Service Corps certificates, which he submitted to the president and the Senate during his ministerial screening in 2023. Perjury!

The former minister had claimed to have obtained a degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, in 1985, and completed his National Youth Service in Jos in 1986.

Despite that both UNN and the NYSC, through official correspondences, disowned Nnaji’s certificates, the minister was in denial.

Amid the heated debates, the ex-minister was forced to resign from President Tinubu’s cabinet.

Nnaji’s fiasco was not the first, and does not seem to be the last. It is estimated that from 1999 to now, no fewer than 10 prominent political figures have seen their careers cut short by deeply troubling certificate forgery scandals

Delta Gov, Sheriff Oborevwori, Cautions Corps Members Against Unnecessary Travels.

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has warned National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to the state to avoid unnecessary travels that could lead to road acc+dents.

The governor gave the advice during the closing ceremony of the 2025 Batch B Stream II Orientation Course at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Issele-Uku, Aniocha North Local Government Area.

Represented by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Trakiriowei Harry ThankGod, Oborevwori expressed concern over the growing number of corps members involved in fatal road accidents, describing such incidents as needless and preventable.

“I must sound a note of caution. Statistics show that road traffic accidents remain the leading cause of death among corps members, often due to needless travel. Please minimise your movements and only embark on journeys when necessary and properly approved.

Your families and the nation have high hopes for you ,we want you to complete your service safely,” the governor said.

He also called on employers of corps members across the state to support and integrate them fully into their workplaces and communities, stressing that their energy and creativity are crucial to the state’s development.

Earlier, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. John Kwaghe, urged the corps members to view their service year as a unique opportunity to contribute to national development. He encouraged them to remain disciplined, innovative, and open-minded in their engagements with host communities, embodying the values of unity, peace, and progress.

Digital Nigeria International Conference 2025!

Presents 'The Hands-on Masterclass'

Application opens from 13th to 27th October 2025.

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WHO CAN APPLY?

•Data Analysts
•Data Scientist
•Job Seekers
•NYSC Members
•Students and Professionals Who Wants to Improve Their Training Capabilities.

Kindly note that the training will take place physically in Abuja. Please come with your laptop.

To register, visit
https://digitalnigeria.gov.ng/register/masterclass

Meet Notorious Kidnap Kingpin Pardoned by President Tinubu.

A wave of outrage and disbelief has trailed the release of 44-year-old Kelvin Prosper Oniarah — the infamous Delta-born kidnap kingpin once declared one of Nigeria’s most dangerous criminals — following his inclusion in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s latest round of presidential pardons.

Oniarah, also known by his aliases Kelvin Ibruvwe and Kelvin Ezigbe, was arrested on September 25, 2013, in a joint operation by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army. He was subsequently convicted for multiple counts of kidnapping, armed robbery, and terrorism-related offences that terrorised parts of Delta, Edo, Anambra, and Rivers States for years.

Trail of Violence and Terror
Before his arrest, Kelvin was the leader of a feared criminal syndicate responsible for high-profile kidnappings and killings. Among his victims was renowned human rights lawyer, Barrister Mike Ozekhome (SAN), abducted on August 24, 2013, along the Auchi–Benin expressway.

Other victims linked to his gang included:

A serving judge of the Edo State Judiciary,
A female Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) official,
Dr. Chudi Nwike, former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, who was killed in captivity,
Several National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and security personnel.
Kelvin’s network operated from camps in Warri and Kokori (Delta State), Ugbokolo (Benue), Benin City (Edo), and Aba (Abia State). His reign of terror also saw the killing of numerous policemen and soldiers during deadly ambushes.

Defiance Against the State
In a chilling episode that underscored his notoriety, Oniarah publicly issued a 60-day ultimatum to the Federal Government in September 2013, demanding the release of his detained gang members or face nationwide bloodshed — a threat that prompted one of the most extensive manhunts in Nigeria’s history.

Conviction and Release
Oniarah was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in October 2023, with his sentence backdated to 2013. It was later reduced to 13 years for what prison officials described as “good conduct” and participation in the National Open University of Nigeria correctional education programme.

His sudden release under the Tinubu administration’s controversial amnesty programme has sparked a storm of criticism from security analysts and victims’ families, who argue that granting clemency to an unrepentant criminal undermines justice and the fight against violent crime.

Kelvin’s freedom, after 12 years behind bars, now raises serious questions about the moral compass of the nation’s justice system

Benin varsities, Nigerian polys in NYSC fraud;Many pensioners earn N5,000 monthly, NUP laments.

Some blacklisted universities in the Benin Republic have devised means of sneaking their graduates into the National Youth Service Corps in collaboration with certain private polytechnics in Nigeria, findings by Saturday PUNCH have shown.

Our correspondent gathered that the universities now obtain Higher National Diploma and National Diploma certificates for their graduates and students due for graduation through the private polytechnics.

After issuing the HND certificates, the polytechnics would then mobilise the affected students for the mandatory NYSC.

Saturday PUNCH also learnt that the students were asked to pay about N400,000 to obtain the HND certificates from the polytechnics, mostly located in South-West and South-East states.

Many pensioners earn N5,000 monthly, NUP laments

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners has decried the worsening plight of its members, lamenting that many pensioners, especially those at the state level, still earn as little as N5,000 monthly despite the rising cost of living.

Speaking in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, the General Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Actor Zal, said most state governments had failed to prioritise the welfare of their retirees, disclosing that only 13 states were currently paying pensions and gratuities regularly.

Premium Times To Sue Nnaji’s Spokesman Over ₦100 Million Bribery Allegation.

The management of Premium Times has vowed to drag Robert Ngwu, spokesperson to the Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, to court for accusing the newspaper of collecting ₦100 million bribe from the Enugu State Government to publish its recent report on the minister’s forged degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates.

Naija News understands that Ngwu made the claim on Tuesday while appearing as a guest on The Morning Brief, a Channels Television programme.

Speaking on the program, he said, “PREMIUM TIMES was allegedly paid ₦100 million to start this process.”

When pressed by anchor Kayode Okikiolu on who paid the money and if he had proof, Ngwu responded, “They were allegedly paid by the state government of Enugu State. That’s the person behind the mask.”

Despite repeated questions from the anchors, Ngwu failed to provide evidence, insisting only that “it was people who gave verbal confirmation” and that “we have our sources.”

In a swift reaction, Premium Times Editor-in-Chief, Musikilu Mojeed, dismissed the allegation as baseless and damaging, warning that the paper’s lawyers were already reviewing Ngwu’s remarks.

He said, “We are not a newspaper that you can unduly malign. We’ve built our integrity for close to 15 years. We’ve done a lot of great stories, and no one has ever accused us of that.

“People know us for that. Our practice is built solely on integrity, and not even a Robert Ngwu or Uche Nnaji can destroy it,” he said, pointing out that the newspaper’s lawyers were reviewing Mr Ngwu’s comments.

“He (Ngwu) will bring his evidence and tell us how the money was given and how it was received.”

Certificate Scandal: Enugu Govt Distances Itself as Minister Uche Nnaji Faces Tough Questions Over Alleged Forgery
The Enugu State Government has strongly denied any involvement in the escalating certificate forgery scandal surrounding the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, calling on him to take responsibility and address the allegations personally.

The controversy deepened after Nnaji’s media aide, Robert Ngwu, accused Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah of masterminding a smear campaign against his principal. Ngwu, at a press conference in Abuja, dismissed reports that Nnaji forged his University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and NYSC certificates, describing them as “politically motivated lies.”

“All these sponsored attacks are being coordinated by Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State. The governor has given a new name to all his problems — Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji,” Ngwu alleged.



However, Governor Mbah swiftly rebutted the claims through his aides, urging the minister to face his own issues.

“Carry your cross,” Mbah said, stressing that his administration had no hand in the matter.


University Disowns Minister’s Certificate

The scandal stems from a Premium Times investigation revealing that UNN disowned Nnaji’s academic certificate. According to the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, though Nnaji was admitted in 1981, there were no records showing that he graduated in 1985 as claimed.

“From our records, we cannot confirm that Mr. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji graduated from the University of Nigeria in July 1985,” Ortuanya said in a Freedom of Information response.



This contradicted an earlier letter from UNN’s Registrar, Celine Nnebedum, who had initially confirmed Nnaji’s graduation but later recanted, stating that his name was missing from the official list.

Legal Battle and Missing Records

Nnaji has since taken legal action against the Minister of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and UNN, accusing them of withholding his transcript despite a court order.

Ngwu alleged that the minister’s academic file was being “kept under lock and key” in the Vice-Chancellor’s office, suggesting foul play.

He also downplayed concerns about discrepancies in Nnaji’s names, insisting that “Uchenna” and “Uchechukwu” are interchangeable in Igbo culture.

‘Carry Your Cross’

In a strongly worded statement, Enugu’s Director of Information, Chukwuemeka Nebo, dismissed Nnaji’s claims, saying the minister must answer to the allegations directly.

“The honourable minister must carry his own cross and clear his name before Nigerians instead of dragging the Enugu State Government into issues that are entirely personal to him,” Nebo said.


He criticized Nnaji for sending aides to address the media instead of speaking for himself, describing it as an attempt to “run from accountability.”

“Why invite journalists and then fail to show up? If he truly has nothing to hide, he should face the press and explain,” Nebo added.


Nebo went on to list several inconsistencies that demand clarification — including claims that Nnaji failed key university courses, presented questionable NYSC documents, and submitted only his WASC certificate to INEC during the 2023 governorship race.

He also questioned the authenticity of the NYSC discharge certificate, which bore the signature of Col. Animashaun Braimoh, who only became NYSC Director-General two years after Nnaji’s supposed service year.

“If the minister himself swore in an affidavit that UNN never issued him a certificate, Nigerians deserve to know how he obtained the one he presented to the Senate,” Nebo stated.

As calls for transparency grow, both the public and media are urging Minister Nnaji to address the controversy head-on. The Enugu Government maintains it has no hand in the saga, emphasizing that the truth must come directly from the minister himself.

“These are questions Nigerians are asking,” Nebo concluded. “If Chief Nnaji is innocent, let him come forward and prove it.”

Minister Uche Nnaji Confesses: ‘UNN Never Issued Me Degree Certificate’.

Nigeria’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, has admitted that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) never issued him a degree certificate despite claiming to be a graduate of the institution.

The revelation emerged in court filings obtained by journalists, where the minister acknowledged that although he was admitted into UNN in 1981 to study Microbiology/Biochemistry, he never collected a certificate because the university “refused to issue” one.

The disclosure comes amid a storm of forgery allegations after investigations revealed inconsistencies in the academic and NYSC documents he submitted for ministerial screening.

In his sworn affidavit, Nnaji claimed that UNN officials had been “uncooperative,” insisting that the certificate he has was not released by the university.

However, the UNN authorities have since disowned the document. In an official letter dated October 2, 2025, Vice Chancellor Prof. Simon Ortuanya stated that while records show Nnaji was once a student, there is no evidence that he graduated or fulfilled the requirements for a degree.

The university’s latest clarification contradicts an earlier 2023 letter from its Registrar claiming the minister graduated in July 1985 a statement later withdrawn by the school in May 2025.

The controversy has also drawn in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), which reportedly denied issuing the discharge certificate the minister has been parading.

With mounting questions over his academic qualifications, calls are growing for President Bola Tinubu’s administration to investigate how Nnaji was cleared during his ministerial screening.

As of press time, the minister has not issued any public statement regarding the fresh revelations.

Tinubu’s Minister in Forgery Scandal as University disowns Certificate.

A major controversy has erupted over the academic qualifications of Nigeria’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, after the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), formally disowned the Bachelor of Science degree certificate he has been parading for decades.

In a letter dated October 2, 2025, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, confirmed that although Mr. Nnaji was admitted into the institution in 1981 to study Biological Sciences, he never completed his programme and was therefore not awarded any degree.

“From every available record, we are unable to confirm that Mr. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji graduated from the University of Nigeria in July 1985. There are no records of his completion of studies,” Prof. Ortuanya wrote.

“The University of Nigeria, Nsukka DID NOT and consequently, COULD NOT have issued the purported certificate, or at all, in July 1985 to Mr. Nnaji,” he added.

The minister’s credentials have under scrutiny since October 2023 after a whistleblower tip about inconsistencies in his documents.

Forgery Allegations Dating Back to 2023
Questions over Mr. Nnaji’s academic records first surfaced in July 2023 when President Bola Tinubu submitted his name to the Senate for ministerial confirmation. Critics alleged that the politician neither completed his studies at UNN nor participated in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, despite presenting both certificates to various federal institutions.

During his screening on August 1, 2023, Mr. Nnaji confidently told lawmakers that he obtained a degree in Biochemistry and Microbiology from UNN in 1985 and served in Jos the following year. His statements were broadcast live on multiple television stations.

Uche Geoffrey Nnaji
However, forensic scrutiny of the certificates submitted by the minister revealed glaring inconsistencies that cast doubt on their authenticity.

Tinubu pointed to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) as one of the major interventions.
 
According to him, 510,000 students from 228 higher institutions across the 36 states and the FCT have benefited, with N99.5 billion disbursed in loans and N44.7 billion provided as upkeep allowances.

He further highlighted other initiatives, including Credicorp, which has provided N30 billion in affordable loans to 153,000 Nigerians for vehicles, solar energy, digital devices, and home improvements.

On youth empowerment, Tinubu noted that YouthCred, introduced last June, is now operational, granting National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members access to consumer credit for resettlement after service.

"Final-year thesis now compulsory requirements for NYSC"- FG

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved new regulations making the submission of academic thesis or project reports a mandatory requirement for mobilisation into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The directive, which takes effect from October 6, 2025, was conveyed through an enforcement circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.

The move is part of enforcing the National Education Repository and Databank (NERD) policy, which aims to digitise and preserve academic works across Nigeria’s institutions. The goal is to tackle certificate fraud, improve academic quality, and make sure every graduate’s work adds to Nigeria’s body of knowledge.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the policy also allows students and their lecturers to earn from their academic work, which will be stored in a national digital platform.

NERD spokesperson, Haula Galadima, explained that each submission must include the names of the student, supervisor(s), Head of Department, and the institution. “This will improve the quality of supervision and discourage poor academic work,” she said.

From March 30 every year, schools and organisations must submit compliance reports. Existing NYSC members or graduates mobilised before October 6 are not affected.

The federal government says compliance with the national policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) is now mandatory for mobilisation into, or exemption from, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

NYSC Member Goes Viral After Building Mini Kitchen with ₦77K Monthly Allowance.

A Nigerian food vendor has gone viral on TikTok (@foodboxvendorsinipaja) after revealing she built her own mini kitchen space using her NYSC allowance of ₦77,000 per month over 8 months.

In her video, she documented the construction process and expressed gratitude for achieving her dream through “sweat, hard work, grace, and some seasoning.”

A Nigerian food vendor has gone viral after revealing she built her own kitchen using her one-year NYSC allowance of N77,000 per month.

Sharing the journey on TikTok (@foodboxvendorsinipaja), she posted a video showing the construction process, captioned: “Finally!.. it’s a dream come true my mini kitchen space built from scratch 8 months of sweat, hard work, grace and some seasoning… it wasn’t an easy one but God made it happen.

Her story has inspired many Nigerians who praised her discipline and determination, though some doubted the possibility of saving that much from the stipend.