The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has denied claims that its operatives fired live ammunition at protesters during Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja.

The force’s Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said in an interview on the television programme Politics Today that police only used tear-gas to disperse demonstrators who attempted to breach areas restricted by a court order.

“I can say it authoritatively that no live ammunition was fired today. Not a single live ammunition,” Hundeyin said.

He added:

“It is easy for people who are not familiar with the sound to mistake the firing of tear-gas for live ammunition. It makes the same popping, explosion-like sound. I can say it on good authority that no live ammunition was shot.”

Hundeyin explained that officers resorted to tear-gas only after protesters ignored repeated warnings and attempted to move into prohibited locations.

“We made it clear that we were going to enforce this court order. We gave enough warning to these people to step back and not go beyond where they were, but they were adamant and they were approaching these areas,” he said.

According to Hundeyin, the operatives acted in accordance with standard police procedures and used only minimal force — force that, in his words, was “commensurate with the resistance we were getting.”

On Monday, police reportedly unleashed tear-gas canisters on commuters in the Central Business District of Abuja as activists gathered to commence the protest. Eight protesters were arrested during the first day’s march.

The protest is being led by Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and former presidential candidate, seeking the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021 and is on trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 17-year-old boy, Auwalu Muhammad, for allegedly removing his 7-year-old sister’s eyes in a suspected money ritual.

The incident occurred in Wailo town, Ganjuwa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, on Friday, 17 October 2025, according to the police.

In a statement issued Monday, the police spokesperson, CSP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, said Muhammad lured his younger sister, Rukayya Muhammad, into a nearby bush and then attacked her, brutally removing her eyes.

“On 17th October 2025, at about 1800hrs … one Auwal Dahiru ‘m’, aged 17 years … attacked his daughter Rukayya Muhammad ‘f’, aged 7 years … with the intention of k!lling her and attempted to pluck out her eyes,” the statement read.

Following the attack, the girl was rushed to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) in Bauchi for emergency treatment. A specialist ophthalmologist confirmed that she will never regain her sight.

Five other suspects, described as members of a ritualist syndicate, were arrested in connection with the case. They include 19-year-old Mohammed Rabiu, 20-year-old Saleh Ibrahim, and others from Ganjuwa LGA.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the act was carried out as part of a ritual aimed at obtaining wealth. Police say the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and prosecution.

Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, continues to demonstrate its commitment to youth empowerment and leadership development as 700 young professionals joined the bank through the Graduate Management Accelerated Programme (GMAP), signalling a major investment in the next generation of leaders who will continue to drive the continent’s economic and financial transformation.

At the graduation ceremony, which was held at Landmark Events Centre in Lagos on Sunday, October 19th, 2025, the bank celebrated graduates from Nigeria and across African countries where the bank operates.

UBA’s Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu; Deputy Group Managing Director, Chukwuma Nweke, and other Board Members, Executive Management, faculty members, were on ground to receive the newly graduated professionals into the UBA Tribe.

Since the inception of the program over three years ago, the GMAP, designed to equip entrants with the necessary skills and knowledge, has graduated well over 4,000 banking and finance professionals while providing them with mentorship, training, and hands-on experience needed to boost their career.

In his speech, Elumelu, who referred to the graduands as “lions and lionesses”, reiterated the bank’s commitment towards raising the next generation of passionate and competent leaders on the continent.

“We are happy to have you as part of this tribe. At UBA, we strongly believe in the transformative power of young people, and that is why we designed this programme that allows us to transfer the baton of knowledge and experience onto others,” he said. “A few decades ago, I started out just like you fresh out of the university, and I am glad that this organisation is providing for you that same opportunity that I got, and I look forward to seeing you guys prove your worth.”

He connected the graduates’ journey to the bank’s larger mission, emphasising that UBA’s role extends beyond profit, as it is also about being relevant to situations in the environment as well helping to catalyse economic prosperity for Africa.

Also speaking at the event, Deputy Managing Director, Chukwuma Nweke, who represented the Group Managing Director, Oliver Alawuba, celebrated the graduates’ perseverance and reaffirmed the bank’s belief in human capital development.

“This ceremony is a celebration of potential, perseverance and purpose. You all are not just graduates; you are our next generation of innovators, leaders, and ambassadors of an enduring legacy. This program reflects our belief that Africa’s future will be shaped not by chance, but by capable and courageous Press leaders like you,” he said.

Nweke elaborated on the rigorous, six-month Graduate Management Accelerated Programme (GMAP), which, according to him, blended classroom learning, digital simulations, field assignments, and mentorship from senior executives.

The new cohorts, who now join UBA’s family of over 25,000 employees were charged to take ownership of their careers, show initiative, and be at the forefront of transformation in technology, customer experience, and sustainability.

United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group wide and serving over 45 million customers globally. Operating in twenty African countries and the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting-edge technology.”