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Palm Sunday killings: Suspect pleads not guilty as court adjourns trial to May 8

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The Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos has resumed hearing in the trial of suspects linked to the Anguwan Rukuba killings, with one of the defendants, Adamu Alhassan, pleading not guilty to a six-count charge.

At the resumed proceedings before Justice Jacob Longden, the charges were read to the defendant with translation into Hausa to aid his understanding.

The Plateau State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Philemon Daffi, informed the court that the charge, dated April 17, 2026, was supported by a list of exhibits and witness statements, and urged the court to formally take the defendant’s plea.

The court heard that Alhassan, alongside others still at large, allegedly participated in attacks on communities in Bachit, Riyom Local Government Area, and Vom in Jos South Local Government Area between 2025 and January 2026, resulting in multiple deaths.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to all six counts, which include criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, terrorism, illegal possession of firearms, and unlawful dealing in arms and ammunition.

Counsel to the defendant, Mustapha Ibrahim, SAN, requested time to confer with his client and file necessary responses, and opposed the prosecution’s application for his continued detention by the Department of State Services, DSS.

He argued that remanding the defendant in a correctional facility would better guarantee his constitutional rights and access to legal representation.

The prosecution, however, maintained that ongoing investigations and the involvement of other suspects still at large justified his continued detention by the DSS.

In his ruling, Justice Longden adjourned the case to May 8, 2026, for a case management conference and ordered that the defendant remain in DSS custody pending the commencement of trial.

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Rosemary Nwankwo Leads Nigeria’s Quest For Medals At 2026 Youth Olympic Games In Senegal

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October 30, 2026

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As events officially begin this weekend at the 2026 Youth Summer Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, Team Nigeria will count on athletics captain, Rosemary Chigozie Nwankwo to lead the country’s quest for medals.

Sports247 reports that it’s yet another epochal outing for the blistering precocious sprinter, who shot to prominence at the 2024 National Youth Games and, though still a secondary student, already has immense experience as an international athlete.

Her fast-paced surge has taken her from the World U20 Athletics Championship to the 2026 Commonwealth Games and now the Youth Olympics, where she is one of Nigeria’s 19 athletes carrying the country’s banner across six sports at the competition that begins on Saturday and ends on November 13th.

All eyes will be on the student at Nigerian Tulip International College, Abuja and member of N-Youth Sports Academy in the country’s contingent of 12 female and seven male athletes, who will compete in athletics, swimming, table tennis, beach volleyball, boxing and road cycling at the fourth edition of the Games.

Before heading out to Dakar on Thursday, National Sports Commission (NSC) organised a 21-day preparation camp for the athletes in Abuja from October 9th to 29th and handed them over to Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) at the start of this week for their formal presentation at Dakar 2026.

A press statement by the NSC disclosed, “The preparation programme featured medical screening, anti-doping education, technical and tactical training, kit fitting, travel documentation and final confirmation of participation requirements.

“Athletics accounts for Nigeria’s largest representation, with nine athletes comprising five females and four males. The team features Treasure Omosiwe, Rosemary Nwankwo, Rita Chisom Ezeh, Faith Ezechukwu, Praise Ugoh, Gift Bright, Gift Oghenerunor, Obanla Ehuwa and Godswill Nkemakolam.

“Rosemary Nwankwo, one of Nigeria’s promising young track athletes, has been appointed captain of the athletics team, while Matthew Kuti will lead the Nigerian table tennis contingent alongside Favour Ojo in the singles and mixed doubles events.

“Nigeria’s swimming team comprises Akinsanmi Omolola, Kristabel Chisa Oldeide, Aidan Dumuje-Abili and Kashope Obatoyinbo, with two female and two male representatives. In beach volleyball, Pamela Bawa and Joy Lawrence will form Nigeria’s women’s team.

“Shukurat Mayowa will represent the country in the women’s 48kg boxing category, while Ringnan Danjuma completes the contingent in road cycling, where she will compete in the women’s road race and individual time trial.”

Sports247 further gathered that Nigeria’s participation will begin on Saturday with table tennis and beach volleyball competitions, while swimming is billed to commence on Sunday, with boxing scheduled for November 7th to 12th.

Attention will be on Nwankwo and Kuti, as they lead their respective teams in a competition that offers Nigeria’s next generation of athletes an opportunity to make their mark, as Africa welcomes the Olympic movement for the first time anywhere in the continent.

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NIA Chairman Engages Technical Committee Leadership, Calls for Proactive Industry Advocacy

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48 minutes ago

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October 30, 2026

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PRESS RELEASE—The Chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Mrs. Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu, has charged the Association’s Technical Committees to strengthen their contributions to industry development through proactive engagement, strategic recommendations and effective collaboration in addressing emerging challenges in the insurance sector.

Mrs. Nwachukwu gave the charge during a breakfast meeting with Chairmen and Secretaries of the Association’s Technical Committees on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

The meeting provided an interactive platform for the NIA leadership and representatives of the Technical Committees to assess their activities, identify areas for improvement and explore strategies for enhancing their effectiveness and contributions to the growth of the Association and the Nigerian insurance industry.

Speaking at the engagement, Mrs. Nwachukwu commended the Technical Committees for their invaluable contributions to the Association’s activities and the development of the insurance industry over the years.

She, however, challenged them to demonstrate greater commitment, innovation and responsiveness in discharging their responsibilities, stressing that their expertise and recommendations remain critical to the Association’s strategic direction and industry advocacy initiatives.

According to her, the NIA Governing Council places significant expectations on the Technical Committees, particularly in providing informed recommendations that serve as the foundation for Council decisions on market conduct guidelines, regulatory policies and other critical industry matters.

The Chairman emphasised the need for the insurance industry to move beyond reactive responses to emerging issues and assume a more proactive role in shaping national economic conversations and policies.

“As insurers, we must not be reactive but proactive in driving conversations around policies and developments affecting the economy and its various sectors. As risk bearers, we have a critical role to play in providing insights and solutions that promote economic stability and resilience.

“The NIA must become stronger and more influential in advancing the collective interests of the insurance industry. To achieve this, our Technical Committees must be at the forefront of driving meaningful engagements, developing practical solutions and providing strategic recommendations that will strengthen the industry,” she stated.

Mrs. Nwachukwu further underscored the importance of collaboration, knowledge-sharing and timely responses to industry developments, urging the Committees to leverage their collective expertise to address emerging risks, regulatory challenges and opportunities for sustainable growth.

She noted that the effectiveness of the Technical Committees would significantly influence the Association’s ability to champion industry reforms, strengthen stakeholder confidence and contribute meaningfully to national economic development.

In her welcome address, the Director-General of NIA, Mrs. Bola Odukale, expressed appreciation to the leadership and members of the Technical Committees for their unwavering commitment, professional contributions and continued support to the NIA Secretariat and the insurance industry.
Mrs. Odukale reiterated the Secretariat’s commitment to strengthening its working relationship with the Committees and providing the necessary institutional support to enhance their operational effectiveness and delivery of their mandates.

The Director-General assured the Committee leadership of the Association’s readiness to facilitate greater coordination, improve communication channels and promote timely consideration of technical recommendations to ensure that their contributions translate into measurable outcomes for the industry.

The NIA Technical Committees represented at the engagement cut across major areas of insurance operations and industry administration. They include the Accident Offices Committee; Accounting Technical Committee; Claims Management Committee; Corporate Affairs Committee; Energy and Special Risks Technical Committee; Fire Offices Committee; Human Capital Management Committee; Information Technology Committee; Legal Committee; Life Offices Committee; Marine Offices Committee; Microinsurance Committee; Motor Technical Committee; Risks, Audit and Compliance Committee; Agricultural Insurance Committee; and Reinsurance Committee.

The breakfast meeting underscored the NIA leadership’s commitment to fostering stronger institutional collaboration, promoting proactive industry advocacy and repositioning the Technical Committees as strategic drivers of innovation, regulatory engagement and sustainable growth in Nigeria’s insurance industry.

The post NIA Chairman Engages Technical Committee Leadership, Calls for Proactive Industry Advocacy appeared first on Business Today NG.

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