The Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Aondona Dajoh, has resigned from his position, citing the “best interest of the state” as the reason for his decision.

Dajoh’s resignation was conveyed in a letter he personally signed, dated August 24, 2025, and made available to Channels Television.

In the letter, titled “Resignation As The Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly,” the Gboko West representative wrote:

“I write to resign my position as the Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, effective today, August 24, 2025.

This is done in good faith and in the best interest of the state. I want to appreciate my dear colleagues for the opportunity they gave me to be the first among equals.

I pledge to remain committed to my duties as a legislator and representative of Gboko West State Constituency.”

Dajoh’s resignation comes just days after the House suspended four members — Alfred Berger (Makurdi North), Terna Shimawua (Kian), Cyril Ekong (Obi), and James Umoru (Apa) — for six months.

The lawmakers had allegedly spearheaded an attempt to impeach the Speaker in a late-night move.

The Majority Leader, Saater Tiseer, who raised a motion of urgent importance, accused the four of attempting to destabilise the Assembly with a “needless crisis.”

The motion was unanimously adopted, and Dajoh subsequently directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort the suspended members out of the chambers.

Following Berger’s suspension, Dajoh also appointed Audu Elias as the new spokesperson of the House.

Meanwhile, Governor Hyacinth Alia has distanced himself from the political tension in the Assembly.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the governor said he had no role in the alleged impeachment plot.

“The governor, Hyacinth Alia, is not aware of and has no involvement whatsoever in any purported attempt to remove the Speaker or in any activities currently taking place in the Benue State House of Assembly,” the statement read.

It added that Governor Alia maintained a cordial working relationship with the Dajoh-led Assembly and remained committed to supporting the legislature in carrying out its duties.

The resignation also follows a turbulent week in the Assembly. Just a day earlier, the House screened and confirmed six commissioner nominees but rejected two, including a law professor, Timothy Ornguga.

Ornguga’s nomination was struck out after four petitions were submitted against him, alleging misconduct during his years as a lecturer, as well as concerns about his qualifications.

Lawmakers, led by Tarka representative Manger Manger, queried his credentials, including the absence of a primary school certificate.

Alongside Ornguga, nominee James Dwen was also rejected after failing to adequately defend himself against allegations contained in petitions.

The House asked Governor Alia to submit replacements for both nominees.

Dajoh’s resignation is expected to reshape the leadership dynamics of the Assembly, which has been rocked in recent weeks by internal divisions, impeachment plots, and controversial legislative battles.

While he has stepped down from the top seat, Dajoh assured his constituents that he will remain fully committed to his legislative responsibilities.

His exit as Speaker raises questions about whether the recent suspension of lawmakers and rejection of commissioner nominees may have deepened divisions within the Benue political space.

A devastating tragedy unfolded in Garin Faji, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, where at least six villagers lost their lives and three others remain missing after a canoe capsized during an early morning escape from suspected bandits.

The incident occurred on Thursday, August 21, marking the second fatal boat mishap in less than a week.

Just six days earlier, four people drowned in a similar accident in nearby Goronyo Local Government Area.

Eyewitness accounts painted a grim picture of desperation as terrified residents attempted to flee advancing attackers.

Many villagers, who had been spending nights in the bush to evade raids, were returning home when panic struck.

“Out of fear, people no longer sleep in their homes. That morning, they were returning when the canoe capsized”, a local source who doesn’t want to be quoted said.

Another resident explained that the chaos intensified when villagers spotted the approaching bandits, leading to an overcrowded rush onto the canoe, which capsized midway.

“They rushed into the canoe, but it couldn’t carry them all”, the resident recounted.

Hon. Aminu Boza, a member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly representing Sabon Birni, confirmed the tragic incident, describing how insecurity has emptied out entire communities.

“Some communities are now completely deserted. Most men spend the night in the bush and only return home in the morning,” Boza said.

He acknowledged the state government’s efforts to address the crisis, including deploying Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), which have helped foil attacks and arrest suspects.

“Just two days ago, security personnel foiled an attack and arrested four suspected bandits. But the area still requires more security presence”, he added.

The Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) also confirmed the accident, revealing that 19 people were rescued from the water, while search efforts to locate the missing individuals are ongoing.

A senior SEMA official noted that the agency, alongside the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and the Red Cross, visited the community to assess the situation and support grieving families.

A comprehensive joint report on the incident is expected soon.

India’s parliament has passed a landmark bill outlawing online gambling, citing growing concerns over financial losses, addiction, and suicides linked to the industry.

The legislation, approved late Thursday, August 21, by both houses, criminalises the offering, promotion, and financing of online gambling platforms, with violators facing up to five years in prison.

It covers card games, poker, and fantasy sports  including India’s hugely popular fantasy cricket apps.

Government figures revealed that gambling companies had extracted an estimated $2.3 billion annually from more than 450 million Indians. Officials said nearly one in three citizens had lost money on gambling apps.

The ban casts uncertainty over Indian cricket’s biggest sponsorship deal. Fantasy sports giant Dream11, named in July 2023 as the lead sponsor of the national team, has its logo splashed across Team India’s jerseys.

While no announcement has yet been made by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), its secretary Devajit Saikia said the board would comply with the law.

“If it’s not permissible, we’ll not do anything,” Saikia said on Friday. “The BCCI will follow every policy framed by the central government.”

Dream11 has since suspended cash contests, telling users on its website: “Following the passing of the bill, cash games and contests have been discontinued. Stay tuned.”

‘Predatory Platforms’

The government defended the move as necessary to protect vulnerable citizens from what it called “predatory gaming platforms.”

“This legislation is designed to curb addiction, financial ruin and social distress caused by misleading promises of quick wealth,” a statement read.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi added that the new law would encourage safe digital gaming while shielding society from the harmful effects of gambling.

“It will encourage e-sports and online social games,” Modi said, “while saving our society from the dangers of online money games.”

The sweeping ban does not cover e-sports or educational games, which the government said it would continue to promote as part of India’s growing digital economy.

Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explained that the bill draws a clear line between competitive online gaming and gambling.

“It separates constructive digital recreation from betting and fantasy money games that exploit users with false promises of profit,” he said.

Gaming industry groups had lobbied for regulation and taxation instead of an outright ban, warning the decision could push millions of players toward illegal offshore platforms.

But lawmakers insisted the social costs were too severe to ignore.

Beyond addiction and financial ruin, officials said gambling apps had been linked to fraud, money laundering, and even terrorism financing.

The bill, titled the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, now awaits presidential assent before taking effect.

Once signed into law, it is expected to transform India’s vast online gaming landscape, placing heavy restrictions on one of the world’s largest digital markets while reshaping its $1.5 billion fantasy sports industry.

The Nigeria Police Force has successfully repatriated a notorious Chinese fugitive, Mr. Dai Qisheng, in a groundbreaking operation coordinated by the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja.

This achievement, announced on Sunday by the Force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, was executed through close collaboration with INTERPOL NCB Beijing and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria.

The operation underscores Nigeria’s commitment to tackling transnational organized crime.

Dai Qisheng, a notorious gang leader wanted in Guizhou Province, China, for orchestrating violent organized crimes, fled his country in 2024 after the Public Security Bureau of Zhijin County issued a warrant for his arrest.

In an effort to evade justice, he sought refuge in Nigeria. However, operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja tracked and arrested him in the Federal Capital Territory on August 8, 2025.

He was subsequently repatriated to Beijing on August 15, 2025, under the framework of police-to-police cooperation facilitated by INTERPOL.

The Nigeria Police Force emphasized that this operation highlights their unwavering resolve to ensure that Nigeria does not become a safe haven for fugitives.

It also reflects the growing strength of international partnerships in addressing the complexities of global crime networks.

Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, commended the successful mission, reiterating his commitment to strengthening international alliances through intelligence-sharing and operational collaboration.

He stressed that this operation sends a powerful message to criminals worldwide: “The Federal Republic of Nigeria will not serve as a sanctuary for fugitives.”

However, this milestone showcases Nigeria’s dedication to upholding justice on a global scale and reinforces its position as a reliable partner in the fight against international crime.

A former deputy Governor of Abia State, Ude Oko-Chukwu, has formally joined the Labour Party.

Chukwu, who served under former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, announced his defection on Saturday at his hometown in Nkporo, Ohafia Local Government Area.

“All Nkporo people are here today. The implication is that Nkporo is now in the Labour Party,” Chukwu declared.

He commended Governor Alex Otti’s leadership style, saying: “I decided to join you because you treat governance as a personal mission. You have done well. Today, we can proudly say we are Abians. PDP in Abia State has closed shop as from today.”

Governor Otti, while receiving Chukwu into the Labour Party, hailed his decision and described him as a principled leader.

According to him, Chukwu is “a man who will give you your due respect.”

However, state Labour Party Chairman Sir Emmanuel Otti called the defection “a move that will awaken the people of the area to new opportunities.”

Ohafia LGA LP Chairman Godwin Kalu pledged unity and development, while PDP’s local chairman, Egesi Eze Azu, also announced his move to the Labour Party alongside Chukwu.