The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has elected 15 new bishops to oversee one vacant and 14 newly created dioceses, marking a significant step in its ongoing mission expansion across the country.

The announcement was made following the Episcopal Synod of the House of Bishops, which took place on Thursday at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Okesha, Ado-Ekiti, within the Ekiti Diocese.

The election was confirmed in a statement issued on Friday by Korede Akintunde, the Church’s Communication Officer.

Presiding over the Synod, The Most Rev’d Dr. Henry Ndukuba, Primate of the Church of Nigeria, explained that the creation of the new dioceses aligns with the church’s broader mission strategy to deepen its presence nationwide.

“These elections are part of our vision to strengthen evangelism and church growth,” the Primate said.

He noted that while the Synod elected bishops for most of the new dioceses, the election for the Missionary Diocese of Eket was postponed due to the recent death of the Bishop of Uyo Diocese, as the new diocese is to be carved out of that jurisdiction.

Primate Ndukuba called on members of the Church to pray for the bishops-elect, their families, and the dioceses they are set to lead, emphasizing the spiritual responsibility they are undertaking.

He also announced that the consecration ceremony for the new bishops will be held on November 9, 2025, in Abuja, with the formal inauguration of the dioceses to follow.

Full-Fledged Dioceses:

1. Diocese of Irele/Ese-Odo – Venerable Samuel Ogunmiluyi

2. Diocese of Ekiti South – Venerable Francis Bankole

3. Diocese of Kalabari – Venerable Boma Briggs

4. Diocese of Lagos South West – Venerable Dr. Adewole Ajayi

5. Diocese of Omoku – Venerable Richard N. Okpara

6. Diocese of Ozoro – Venerable Dr. Benjamin Idume

Missionary Dioceses:

1. Missionary Diocese of Idanre – Venerable Bode Otenaike

2. Missionary Diocese of Ikom – Venerable David Michson

3. Missionary Diocese of Keffi – Venerable Dr. Paul Dajur

4. Missionary Diocese of Nasarawa – Venerable Dr. Luka B. Allu

5. Missionary Diocese of Ogoja – Venerable Ifeanyi Akunna

6. Missionary Diocese of Oyo South – Venerable Dr. Ebenezer Familoni

7. Missionary Diocese of Oyun – Venerable Solomon Adewumi

8. Missionary Diocese of Takum – Rev’d Canon Rika G. Ibrahim

9. Missionary Diocese of Zuru – Venerable Dr. Ayuba Kanta

Earlier this week, the Church officially approved the creation of 15 new dioceses during its Standing Committee Meeting held between September 15–19, 2025, also in Ekiti State.

This followed the lifting of a moratorium on the creation of new dioceses in September 2024, after a series of rigorous inspections, validations and administrative assessments.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned Dr. Olu Agunloye, a former Minister of Power and Steel, on fresh charges related to the controversial $6 billion Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project.

The re-arraignment took place on Thursday before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal High Court, Apo, Abuja.

Agunloye, who served in the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, is now facing a seven-count amended charge brought against him by the EFCC.

According to the EFCC, Agunloye is accused of Corruption, Abuse of office and Fraudulent award of contract to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited.

The prosecution claims that Agunloye knowingly ignored a Presidential directive issued during a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on May 21, 2003 and just two days later, on May 23, wrote a letter to Sunrise Power, falsely purporting to grant government approval for the construction of the 3,960-megawatt Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station.

One of the charges also links Agunloye to Leno Adesanya, who is described as “at large” and allegedly connected to Sunrise Power.

The EFCC claims both men used a falsified document titled: “Construction of 3,960MW Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station on a Build, Operate and Transfer Basis” to deceive the Federal Government into committing to the multi-billion-dollar energy project.

The EFCC maintains that the offences violate sections of the Penal Code involving fraud, false documentation, and abuse of public office, and are punishable under Nigerian law.

When the amended charges were read in court, Agunloye pleaded not guilty to all counts.

EFCC counsel M.K. Hussein requested a new date to continue the testimony of the third prosecution witness, who had previously taken the stand.

Justice Onwuegbuzie subsequently adjourned the case until October 9, 2025, for continuation of trial.

In a major overhaul of Nigeria’s passport processing system, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has officially stopped producing passports at multiple centres across the country.

For the first time since the NIS was founded in 1963, the country has now adopted a centralised passport production system.

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the development on Thursday during an inspection of the new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at the NIS Headquarters in Abuja.

“This marks a historic milestone. For the first time in 62 years, passport production in Nigeria is now fully centralised,” the Minister said.

According to him, the transition is a part of broader reforms aimed at boosting efficiency and cutting down on delays in passport issuance.

While older machines were limited to producing around 250 to 300 passports daily, the new system is capable of handling 4,500 to 5,000 passports per day.

“With this technology, we can now meet daily demand in just four to five hours of operation,” Tunji-Ojo added.

The minister emphasized that the goal is to deliver passports within two weeks, and eventually reduce it to one week, citing automation and system optimization as key to achieving that promise.

He also explained that the centralised system aligns with global best practices, improves document security, and ensures consistent quality across all passports issued.

“This reform is not just about centralisation; it’s about setting a new standard for productivity and integrity in passport services,” he said.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo stated that the move fits into President Bola Tinubu’s broader agenda for reforming public services and restoring trust in government institutions.

He added that the new system will bring services closer to Nigerians through improved delivery, not just in terms of speed but also reliability.

“This is a total reform of the passport system in Nigeria, and a bold step toward a culture of service excellence,” the minister concluded.

The Enugu State Police Command has scored a major win in its ongoing crackdown on violent crime, arresting four armed robbery suspects in a string of successful operations that also led to the recovery of locally made firearms and other stolen items.

According to a statement released on Thursday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the arrests were carried out in separate incidents between March and September 2025, showcasing the sustained efforts of law enforcement to curb criminal activities across the state.

The first arrest took place on March 17th, around 11:40 pm when operatives from the Ikirike Division and the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad responded swiftly to a distress call along Agbani Road.

There, they apprehended 25-year-old Okechukwu Anthony in the act of attempting to rob a man of his smart wristwatch.

A locally fabricated pistol, designed to resemble a Beretta but lacking a magazine and ammunition, was found on the suspect.

Authorities say his prompt arrest averted what could have been a more serious attack.

Just hours later, at about 3:15 p.m. on the same day, officers from the 9th Mile Division responded to a reported robbery in progress at Uzo-Nwa Money, Ngwo, in Udi Local Government Area.

Upon arriving at the scene, police disrupted the suspects mid-robbery. Although one of the attackers managed to flee, the operatives, supported by vigilant community members, arrested Chukwudi Stephen Ngwu (36) and Chibuike Ohaekelem (23).

Recovered from the scene were another locally made pistol, similar in appearance to a Beretta, and a small bag of rice believed to have been used as bait in the heist.

Initial investigations reveal the suspects, along with their still-at-large accomplice, had posed as passengers in a tricycle (keke) from New Market, Enugu, carrying the rice to mislead the unsuspecting driver before launching their attack.

In a separate incident on September 15th, at approximately 4:10 am, officers from the Ogui Division, with help from residents, apprehended 29-year-old Oluchukwu Stanley while he was attempting to rob a home in Ogui-Nike.

Police say Stanley had scaled the fence of a residential compound and tried to snatch a victim’s phone.

His plans were thwarted when the victim raised an alarm, alerting neighbors and the police. The suspect was overpowered and another locally made pistol was recovered at the scene.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended the swift action and professionalism of the officers involved in all three operations.

He reiterated the Command’s zero tolerance for criminality and its commitment to protecting life and property in Enugu State.

“These arrests reflect our determination to take the fight to the doorsteps of criminals,” CP Giwa said.

“We will not relent in our efforts to make Enugu a safe place for all residents.”

He urged citizens to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station, stressing the importance of community cooperation in sustaining the progress made so far.

The suspects, according to police, will be charged to court following the conclusion of investigations.

A General Court Martial sitting at Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos, has sentenced Private Lukman Musa, a soldier serving with the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, to death by hanging for the brutal killing of a tricycle (keke) rider, Abdulrahman Isa, in Azere town, Bauchi State.

The court, presided over by Brigadier General Liafis Bello, found Musa guilty on multiple counts, including murder, culpable homicide, and unlawful possession of ammunition.

The verdict was delivered on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

According to details presented during the trial, Private Musa conspired with an accomplice known only as Oba to lure the unsuspecting victim, Isa, into his home under the pretense of needing help moving personal items.

Once inside, Musa struck Isa on the head with a wooden object and then strangled him to death.

In a bid to hide his crime, the soldier stuffed Isa’s body into a sack and dumped it in a remote area between Shira and Yala villages. Musa later sold the victim’s tricycle.

Investigators also discovered that the soldier was in unlawful possession of 34 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, further compounding his charges.

While delivering the judgment, Brigadier General Bello condemned Musa’s actions in the strongest terms, calling them a disgrace to the military and a betrayal of the Army’s values.

“You mercilessly metamorphosed from a defender of citizens to a killer. Your action is an embarrassment and disgrace to the Nigerian Army,” Gen. Bello declared.

He added that Musa’s conduct was a “grave violation of military values” and completely contrary to the Army’s constitutional duty to protect citizens.

For the charge of culpable homicide, Musa was sentenced to death by hanging, as provided under Section 221 of the Penal Code, which punishes violations of Section 220.

On the second charge, involving the unlawful possession of firearms, contrary to Section 8(1) of the Firearms Act, Musa received an additional two-year prison sentence and was dismissed from the Nigerian Army with ignominy.

Major Aminu Mairuwa, Acting Deputy Director of Legal Services for the 3 Division, spoke to journalists after the ruling.

He emphasized that the judgment reaffirms the Army’s firm stance on discipline and legal accountability.

“This judgment signifies the Nigerian Army’s resolve to ensure that no personnel operates outside the law or laid down standard operating procedures,” Major Mairuwa stated.

He added that the ruling serves as a clear message that the Army will not tolerate lawlessness within its ranks.