Author: Candid Reporters

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspected members of a criminal gang allegedly responsible for the abduction of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members and one civilian in Imo State. The incident occurred near Umunoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area in Imo State on October 1, 2026. CANDID REPORTERS gathered that the suspects were apprehended during a series of intelligence-led operations conducted at different locations in Rivers and Abia states. However, in the course of the operation, three other suspects escaped with varying degrees of injury. Security sources disclosed that the operations were carried out between…

Abia State government has granted Presco Plc permission to commence palm oil production, with a target of creating 5,000 jobs. Presco, the agro-industrial company saddled with the responsibility will have its operation involved in the rehabilitation of Ulonna Farm Settlement in Umuahia and the development of additional palm plantations in Ozuitem and other parts of the state. Governor, Alex Otti of Abia State announced this during a meeting with a delegation of the firm led by its chairman, Rashid Sarumi, at the Government House, Umuahia, the state capital. Governor Otti assured the company that his administration would facilitate access to…

Governor Alex Otti of Abia state has assented to four bills passed by the Abia State House of Assembly. CANDID REPORTERS gathered that The four bills signed into law are the Abia State University Amendment Law No. 4 of 2026, Abia State Restorative Justice Law No. 8 of 2026, Abia State Criminal Law No. 7 of 2026 and Abia State Administration of Criminal Justice Law No. 6 of 2026. Governor Otti signed the bills at the Government House in Umuahia on Monday, October 19, 2026, where he emphasized the importance of regularly reviewing legislation to ensure that laws remain relevant…

The Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has commiserated with the family of his late friend, brother and former Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, whose death was announced earlier today, Monday, October 19, 2026. In a condolence message, Governor Otti described Dr. Uduaghan’s death as painful and devastating. Recalling the life and times of the former Governor, Dr. Otti described him as an accomplished medical doctor, a statesman and an illustrious son of Delta State who contributed immensely to the development and progress of Delta State in particular and Nigeria in general.…

The Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, received with shock and sadness the news of the passing of an illustrious Abian and the APGA governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Prof. Gregory Ikechukwu Ibe, OFR. Governor Otti is saddened by the news of Prof. Ibe’s passing, given his continued impact in education and research in the country in general and Abia State in particular. The Abia Chief Executive, like numerous other well-wishers, had prayed and hoped that the respected administrator and philantropost would overcome the sickness he battled for some time. Unfortunately, he couldn’t. We cannot…

Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, Founder and President of Masters Group of Companies and former Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development has delivered the Global Keynote Address at the Innovate Africa Conference. The event had African Heads of State, policymakers, investors, business leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, creatives, development institutions, and industry experts to unlock Africa’s trillion-dollar economic opportunities through strategic collaboration, investment, innovation, and policy transformation. “Energy as Economic Sovereignty: Powering Africa’s Industrial Rise to a Sustainable Trillion-Dollar Economy.” He also contributed to discussions on Energy, Oil & Gas, and Mining, and participated in the panel session titled “Prosperity: Energy and…

The Fundación para la Internacionalización de las Administraciones Públicas (FIAP) in collaboration with FactCheckAfrica, under the framework of the EU Support to ECOWAS in Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) Project is strengthening journalists on indigenous–language electoral reporting ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 election. CANDID REPORTERS monitored the 3-day training held at Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom state. from October 13-15, 2026. The three-day training programme was designed to strengthen the capacity of journalists, broadcasters, editors, fact-checkers and other media practitioners to produce accurate, ethical and inclusive electoral information in indigenous languages ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections. The workshop focused…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says its operatives has revealed the seizure of packaging materials for alcoholic beverages and other products, worth more than N200 million in Aba, Abia state. In an X post on Wednesday, NaAFDAC said the officials raided five shops at Old Court road market in Aba following credible intelligence on the production and supply of counterfeit packaging materials. The agency said the seized items included fake labels, corks, packs and outer packaging materials bearing the names of several brands. “The operation uncovered counterfeit labels, corks, packs and outer packaging materials…

Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Olisa Agbakoba, has insisted that journalists have the legal right to publish election results, stressing that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, alone has the exclusive authority to formally declare the outcome of an election. Agbakoba argued that the distinction between publishing and declaring results was crucial ahead of the 2027 general election, adding that journalists could broadcast figures announced by electoral officers at polling units without waiting for INEC’s final declaration. He made the remarks while fielding questions on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Wednesday. The former NBA president cited a…

Governor Alex Otti, of Abia State has directed the new management of the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park (AIIP), Owaza, to accelerate work on the project, revealing that a steel plant operating in another state is being relocated to the facility despite the huge cost implication. Otti said the development demonstrated investors’ confidence in the industrial park, which his administration is positioning as a major hub for industrial production, commerce and innovation in Abia State. The governor gave the directive on Tuesday when he received his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, and members of the State Executive Council, who…