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Operatives of the Jigawa State Police Command have arrested nine suspected cattle rustlers and recovered four cows, two goats, and two vehicles during coordinated operations across Hadejia and Auyo local government areas.

The suspects, aged between 20 and 45, were apprehended on September 30, 2025, following intelligence-led raids carried out by personnel of the Hadejia ‘A’ Division and Auyo Division.

Police spokesperson, SP Shiisu Lawan Adam, said the suspects were intercepted at an uncompleted building in Kantin Waje Quarters, Hadejia, and at Kogin Dole near Wailari Village in Auyo.

Recovered from the suspects were a tinted-glass Golf wagon and a Volkswagen bus with registration number UBJ 835 XX, along with the stolen livestock.

One of the cows was identified by its rightful owner, Muhammad Sani of Harbo Sabuwa Village in Miga Local Government Area, who had earlier reported the theft to the police.

Commending the officers for their swift response, the Commissioner of Police reiterated the command’s commitment to eradicating cattle rustling and other criminal activities across the state.

He assured that the suspects would be charged to court after investigations are concluded and urged residents, especially livestock owners, to continue providing credible information to support security efforts in Jigawa State.

The Committee for the Creation of new Emirates, Chiefdoms and Districts set up by the Bauchi State Government has proposed 13 new emirates, two chiefdoms and 113 districts.

The proposal was contained in the report of the committee submitted to Governor Bala Mohammed at the Governor’s Office Bauchi by the chairman of the committee, Hamza Koshe Akuyam.

While submitting the committee’s report to the governor, he explained that the proposed 13 new emirates and two chiefdoms represent the most desirable of all the over 100 memoranda received from across the state.

Akuyam recalled that the body was inaugurated on 4th July 2025 with the mandate to review requests from communities across the state, assess their historical, cultural and administrative justifications, and make recommendations to promote justice, inclusiveness and peaceful coexistence.

The chairman disclosed that the committee received a total of 196 memoranda, 17 for the creation of emirates, 166 for districts, and others for chiefdoms.

According to him, ‘At the end of the work, the committee is hereby recommending the creation of 13 additional emirates, 2 chiefdoms, and 111 districts across Bauchi State.’

Responding, Governor Bala Mohammed commended the committee for what he described as a transparent and painstaking exercise, especially the methodology, models, and templates used, noting that the process reflected community ownership and affinity.

The governor said the reform was in line with his administration’s commitment to unbundle Bauchi for easier governance, eliminate ungoverned spaces, and give communities a sense of self-actualisation.

Mohammed assured traditional rulers and communities that the government would implement the recommendations fairly, balancing the aspirations of new communities with the dignity of existing institutions, while expanding opportunities for leadership and representation.

Journalist, columnist and author Azu Ishiekwene has released a new book entitled ‘A Midlifer’s Guide to Content Creation and Profit’.

The ten-chapter book focuses on how older adults can profitably interact with and expand their frontiers in the evolving new media landscape, particularly in light of the complex and promising developments of generative artificial intelligence (AI).

In a statement, Ishiekwene, fondly called Azu, said, ‘It shares insights with midlifers on the possibilities for rewarding their mental exertions handsomely, whether literary, artistic or acoustic talent, or the sheer capacity to curate and tell a good story from their experiences using new technologies.’

The book, published by Premium Times Books, is a sequel to ‘Writing for Media and Monetising It,’ published in 2024, and is considered a practical and valuable text for young adults in the media and literary fields.

In the Foreword, historian of African Studies and distinguished teaching professor in Humanities Toyin Falola, said, ‘The book is a groundbreaking book that challenges the widespread belief, especially among the older generation (Gen X), that aspirations should diminish after the age of 50.’

The publisher of Premium Times, Dapo Olorunyomi, said, ‘It’s another masterpiece from Azu, who is gaining new heights not only in the mastery of new media forms, but also in his capacity to share his insights in meaningful ways.’

As part of his interest in new media, Azu has also published a workbook on content monetisation, given several lectures, and co-authored a scholarly article with Professor Farooq Kperogi, entitled ‘Light in a Digital Black Hole: Exploration of Emergent Artificial Intelligence Journalism in Nigeria,’ published in the Journal of Applied Journalism and Media Studies.

His new book, A Midlifer’s Guide to Content Creation and Profit, can be accessed on www.azu.media and other global distribution platforms.

As Nigeria’s petroleum sector faces turbulence over recent disputes, a quieter struggle is emerging from the nation’s fuel pumps – one waged by petrol station workers demanding fair pay, respect and dignity.

Operating under the Concerned Petrol Station Workers (CPSWs) banner, attendants, cleaners, security guards, and station managers across the country have decried what they describe as years of ‘neglect and exploitation’ despite being the vital last link in Nigeria’s oil distribution chain.

Some of them spoken with by our reporter described the meager wage received from their various Patrol Stations as ‘grossly inadequate’ in the face of Nigeria’s current economic realities.

One of the fuel attendants along Nnamdi Azikiwe Express way Kaduna who declined to mention his name for fear of being victimised said she was only managing N20,000 monthly because she couldn’t find any other job yet.

‘I’m only managing the N20,000 paid to me monthly because I have no option. But imagine what will N20,000 do for you in this country,’ she said

Another pump attendant in Tudun Wada claimed that life has been difficult for him due to the poor payment, saying, ‘Most of us trek a long distance to work every day, just to survive on the N25,000 per month.’

He explained that he is already considering quitting the job due to the poor pay.

Daily Trust further gathered that there are other filling stations that pay above N50,000 depending on the company.

A staff in one of such patrol stations who simply identified himself as Ustaz said for him his patrol station pays minimum wage but confirmed that there are other patrol stations that pay less in the state.

‘I know of other patrol stations that pay their workers around N30,000 or less but for me my station pays minimum wage,’ he said.

Babangida Muhammad a resident of Tudun Wada said his friend who works in one of the filing stations at Unguwar Rimi area always complained of the poor pay before quitting the job because he cannot continue with the meager pay.

Their coordinator, Comrade Ibrahim Zango, who spoke on Sunday on behalf of the workers called on the Federal Government, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to urgently address the poor welfare and unsafe working conditions they face daily.

‘We are the ones who stand under the scorching sun and in the rain to serve millions every day, yet we are treated as if our lives don’t matter,’ Zango said.

‘We are dying in silence for fear of being molested or frustrated for raising our voices, even when we are like the engine room of the Nigerian petroleum sector.’

According to the group, most petrol station workers earn between N20, 000 and N30,000 monthly, a wage they described as ‘grossly inadequate’ in the face of Nigeria’s current economic realities.

Beyond poor pay, the CPSWs highlighted other forms of exploitation, including being forced to cover losses caused by faulty fuel pumps or accounting discrepancies.

Many also work long hours without rest, leave benefits, or medical insurance, the group stated.

Zango said the workers are routinely exposed to toxic fumes, fire outbreaks, and robbery attacks, often without any safety equipment or protection from their employers.

‘When there’s a fire outbreak, robbery, or accident, the owners disappear, and the attendants are left to suffer,’ he lamented. ‘We are the unsung heroes of Nigeria’s oil economy,’ Zango said.

The group further accused some petrol station owners of silencing workers who attempt to organise for better conditions, sometimes using threats or physical intimidation to suppress dissent.

The CPSWs demanded that petrol station workers be included in ongoing discussions about petroleum sector reforms, insisting that their contribution to national fuel distribution deserves recognition and fair compensation.

He listed their key demands to include Fair and livable wages reflective of current economic conditions; improved working environments, including rest breaks, safety gear, and regulated shifts.

Other demands are Freedom to unionise without intimidation; Health and safety measures to protect workers from occupational hazards.

Zango urged authorities and industry stakeholders to act swiftly, stressing that the dignity of workers should not be sacrificed for profit.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his timely intervention in averting what it described as ‘the disruptive actions of PENGASSAN’ against the company.

The company in a statement said the president’s leadership, through his ministers and senior government officials, ensured the restoration of order and stability to the energy sector at a critical moment.

‘Dangote Refinery is grateful to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, HE Bola Tinubu, GCFR for his intervention, through his Ministers and senior officials, which resulted in the abatement of the disruptive actions of PENGASSAN against the Refinery.’

According to the company, among the key government officials who worked ‘tirelessly’ to restore normalcy were Nigeria’s Security Chiefs, led by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Adeola Toyin Ajayi; and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr. Mohammed Mohammed.

The company also commended the efforts of other senior government officials who worked ‘untiringly and determinedly into the wee hours of several nights to avert the declared disruption of Nigeria’s energy sector by anarchists and agents of darkness.’ These, it said, included the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mohammed Dingyadi; the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; the Honourable Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu; and the Honourable Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.

‘We remain very grateful to these officials for their patriotism and national service,’ it added.

Dangote Refinery extended heartfelt gratitude to Nigerians for their overwhelming public support during the crisis.

‘To Nigerians of all walks of life, we owe you more than a debt of gratitude. Your support for our righteous cause was both humbling and overwhelming. We heard your supportive voices and words of encouragement literally in all the street corners and media channels of Nigeria and were energized and strengthened thereby. You gave us hope and reinforced our belief in the Nigerian nation and people as the backbone of our enterprise. Be assured that we would continue to work for and in your interest and persist in always protecting that interest against rent seekers, economic saboteurs and economic squatters,’ the company stated.

The Refinery also lauded its workforce for their loyalty and commitment during the industrial tension.

‘To our loyal workers, who ensured that our operations were not disrupted even for a second, we thank and appreciate you. The strength of Dangote Group lies in our people and their unalloyed dedication and allegiance to our cause, mission and vision. You proved your allegiance to our cause these several days even in the face of the provocative and inciting comments of and directives from detractors and naysayers who do not wish us and indeed Nigeria well. Be assured that you are treasured and will continue to be handsomely rewarded and remunerated notwithstanding the hypocritical directives and pronouncements of the enemies of Nigeria’s progress and derailers of our economy’.

Reaffirming its position as one of Nigeria’s foremost employers, the refinery noted that the Dangote Group is a model private sector player committed to fair employment practices and national economic development.

The Lagos State government and legal experts have called for stronger regulation and compliance in Nigeria’s real estate sector to curb quackery, fraudulent practices, and consumer exploitation.

Speaking at a seminar of the Association of Estate Agents in Nigeria (AEAN), Lagos State Chapter, Barr. Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Housing represented by Akinbola Temitope Director (lands) Monitoring and Compliance Department said the state is committed to enforcing existing laws and strengthening the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) to ensure professionalism in the sector.

Odunuga-Bakare noted ‘While over 1,000 practitioners have registered with LASRERA, the number of unregistered operators is far higher. These quacks are behind fraudulent transactions ranging from multiple sales of the same property to rent collection for non-existent apartments,’ she said.

According to her, real estate-related complaints are among the top five consumer grievances in the state, with tenants facing unfair rent hikes and hidden charges, while buyers contend with title fraud and delayed property delivery.

She identified affordability as a major challenge, stressing that nearly 70 per cent of Lagosians live in rented accommodation. ‘Access to housing finance remains difficult, with mortgage rates often beyond the reach of average citizens. This pushes many toward informal arrangements with unregulated agents,’ she said.

In a separate presentation, legal practitioner Akinboyo Ayorinde provided a broader legal perspective, noting that real estate contributed 15.9 per cent to Nigeria’s GDP in 2025, making it the third-largest contributor to the economy. He stressed that property ownership and transactions are governed by a web of federal and state laws, with the Land Use Act of 1978 central to Nigeria’s land tenure system.

‘The Land Use Act vests all land in a state in the governor, who grants occupancy rights and must give consent before any transfer or mortgage. Without such consent, land transactions are invalid,’ Ayorinde explained, citing Supreme Court precedent.

He also highlighted Lagos-specific regulations such as the Land Registration Law 2015, the Land Use Charge Law 2018, and the Tenancy Law 2011, which, among other provisions, prohibits landlords from demanding more than one year’s rent in advance from yearly tenants.

He also referenced the pending Real Estate Regulatory Council Bill, which, if passed, would establish a national framework for licensing practitioners and standardising practices across Nigeria.

Doma United Football Club has announced a major restructuring of its technical and management teams ahead of the new football season, describing it as a strategic move to enhance efficiency, professionalism, and competitiveness.

As part of the reorganization, Coach Najib Mabo – son of the late legendary Super Falcons coach, Ismaila Mabo – has been appointed Technical Adviser. Mabo, a seasoned tactician who previously managed Mighty Jets FC, will head the club’s technical department.

He will be assisted by Coaches Maurice Chigozie and Suleiman Muhammad Anke, both of whom have been retained to ensure stability and continuity within the squad. In the management structure, Saidu Umar retains his role as General Manager, while Ishiyaku Muazu, formerly the Team Manager, has been promoted to Club Director to oversee broader administrative responsibilities. Suleiman Umar Reme takes over as the new Team Manager, charged with supervising the club’s day-to-day operations.

The club also confirmed the retention of Coach Boyin Ayodele, popularly known as Lemmy, as Goalkeeper Coach.

Speaking on the new appointments, the Chairman of Doma United said the restructuring was aimed at ‘strengthening the team’s performance and instilling greater professionalism’ as preparations intensify for the upcoming season.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has been advised to strengthen its reliance on legal guidance in all aspects of its operations to avoid costly mistakes and minimize losses.

This call was made by Dr. Babatunde Ajibade, SAN, Managing Partner of S.P.A Ajibade and Co., while delivering the keynote address at the 2025 Annual Retreat of the Directorate of Legal Services (DLS) of the Commission, which opened in Lagos on Thursday.

The four-day retreat, themed ‘Innovative Strategies for Excellent Legal Service Delivery and Conflict Resolution,’ is aimed at enhancing the capacity of NDDC’s legal personnel in supporting the Commission’s development mandate across the Niger Delta region.

Ajibade said legal services were central to the success of NDDC’s programmes in infrastructure, healthcare, education, environment, agriculture, and social welfare. He noted that each of these areas carried legal implications requiring contracts, regulatory compliance, and negotiations that must be properly managed.

‘There is no aspect of NDDC’s mandate that does not have a legal component. Each of the Commission’s projects involves contracts and regulatory considerations that require expert legal input to protect the interests of both the organisation and the Niger Delta people,’ he stated.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria cautioned that legal departments were often wrongly regarded as cost centres, whereas their true value lies in preventing losses and operational setbacks.

He stressed that integrating legal advice from the outset of projects would safeguard the Commission’s resources and ensure smoother delivery of development programmes.

He also advised NDDC legal officers to adopt pragmatic approaches in dispute resolution, including the use of mediation and arbitration where suitable, while warning against ego-driven technicalities that cause delays in litigation. ‘Negotiation, litigation and conflict resolution require a careful balancing of interests to achieve win-win outcomes,’ he said.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the NDDC Director of Legal Services, Victor Arenyeka, emphasized the pivotal role of the Directorate in safeguarding the Commission’s integrity and ensuring compliance with established processes. He urged officers to embrace innovation, transparency, and collaboration in discharging their duties.

‘As public officers we must recognize that embracing new strategies is not optional but essential. In so doing, we strengthen the integrity of our operations and uphold the values of accountability and excellence that define the NDDC’s mission,’ Arenyeka said.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a major boost for women’s football, confirming that the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) will expand from 12 to 16 teams starting with the 2026 edition.

Next year’s tournament in Morocco was originally scheduled to feature 12 nations, with qualifiers already in the second and final round. However, CAF said the new format would ‘likely introduce a third preliminary round,’ where 11 countries will compete for the remaining four spots to complete the expanded lineup.

Further details on the qualification process and competition structure will be revealed after CAF’s Executive Committee meeting in Kinshasa.

Since its inception in 1998, WAFCON featured eight teams until the 2018 edition in Ghana. The 2020 tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, before returning in 2022 with 12 participating teams.

CAF said the expansion underscores its ‘growing investment and commitment to the development of women’s football across Africa.’

At the 2022 WAFCON in Morocco, CAF increased the prize pool by 45% to $3.45 million, with champions Nigeria receiving $1 million after winning a record-extending 10th title.

‘I am pleased with the progress we’ve made in women’s African football,’ Caf president Patrice Motsepe said.

‘Part of my starting point is making sure [men and women] are paid well and they can make a career out of football.

‘I can assure you women’s football will continue to improve because that is an area we are focussing on a lot.’

Oil giant ExxonMobil has announced plans to cut about 2,000 jobs worldwide as part of a sweeping restructuring effort aimed at streamlining its operations and consolidating smaller offices into regional hubs.

The job losses, representing between 3% and 4% of the company’s global workforce, were disclosed in a memo to employees on Tuesday by Chief Executive Officer Darren Woods. He described the move as part of Exxon’s long-term strategy to improve efficiency and strengthen competitiveness.

‘This is a tough decision, but the changes announced today will further strengthen our advantages and grow the gap with our competition, helping us remain in the lead for decades to come,’ Woods said in the memo.

The restructuring will center operations around growth projects such as oil exploration in Guyana, liquefied natural gas along the U.S. Gulf Coast, and global energy trading. Recently, Exxon confirmed it would relocate staff from Brussels and Leatherhead, U.K., to its London hub. Exxon has been undertaking a major internal overhaul since 2019, reducing bureaucracy by collapsing its nine largely independent units into three core divisions: production, refining, and low-carbon. Shared services across engineering, IT, and project management have helped the company cut $13.5 billion in annual costs, more than its international peers combined, with plans to push cost reductions 30% higher by the end of the decade.

The company employed about 61,000 people globally at the end of 2024, nearly 20% fewer than in 2019. Imperial Oil Ltd., Exxon’s Canadian affiliate in which it holds a 70% stake, separately announced a 20% workforce reduction on Monday.

Exxon’s cuts mirror similar moves by Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and BP, which have all trimmed jobs this year amid volatile oil prices triggered by oversupply from OPEC and its allies.