Category: Daily Trust

A mob on Monday set ablaze a vehicle allegedly belonging to suspected ‘one chance’ operators and arrested two of the suspects at Abaji town in the FCT.

A witness, Salihu Ibrahim, said the incident occurred at about 3:12pm after the suspected gang, including a female member, narrowly escaped being lynched by an angry mob.

He said the incident occurred when the gang allegedly invaded a cattle market in the area and attempted to defraud some cattle dealers, reportedly using charms.

According to him, some of the cattle dealers became suspicious of the manner in which the suspected ‘one chance’ operators were allegedly trying to scam them and quickly raised the alarm.

‘And upon discovering that some of them were trying to call the police and vigilantes, they quickly entered their vehicle and zoomed off,’ he said.

Ibrahim said the suspects were attempting to cross the highway to escape when a truck approaching on the highway hit their vehicle from behind.

He said immediately after the truck hit the car, the suspects alighted and attempted to flee, resulting in the arrest of two of the three gang members, while the vehicle was set ablaze.

He said the female member of the gang narrowly escaped through the crowd that had gathered at the scene, adding that the two arrested suspects were handed over to the police.

Abuja Metro observed traders in the cattle market and passersby gathering at the scene as the mob set the Opel car allegedly belonging to the suspects ablaze.

A police source at the Abaji Division, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also confirmed the incident, saying two members of the gang were arrested while efforts were ongoing to track the fleeing female member of the syndicate.

The spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, did not respond to calls put across to her over the incident as of the time of filing this report.

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has distanced itself from the proposed N200 annual levy by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), saying payment is not required for students seeking mobilisation for national service.

The NYSC spokesperson, Caroline Embu, gave the clarification in a statement on Tuesday, following reports that NANS was considering linking payment of its dues to the NYSC mobilisation process.

The Scheme said it had neither discussed nor agreed to the arrangement with NANS, and had not entered into any Memorandum of Understanding with the student body on the collection of any levy.

‘The NYSC wishes to state unequivocally that it has not, at any time, discussed, agreed to, or entered into any Memorandum of Understanding with the National Association of Nigerian Students regarding the collection of any levy from students in connection with mobilisation for national service,’ it said.

It explained that mobilisation was conducted through official channels involving the NYSC management and Heads of Corps Producing Institutions, which provide information on their graduates.

‘The mobilisation process is neither linked to nor contingent upon the activities of any student association or organisation,’ the Scheme added.

The NYSC advised students and prospective corps members to disregard any information suggesting that payment to NANS or any student association was required for mobilisation.

The clarification followed comments by NANS National President, Akinteye Babatunde, that the association was considering an annual N200 due for students.

Babatunde had also said NANS would work with the NYSC and that students might be required to show proof of payment before mobilisation.

Opposition leader and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has demanded the immediate suspension and arrest of Senator Francis Fadahunsi over alleged inflammatory remarks concerning the forthcoming Osun State governorship election.

Frank also called on security agencies to investigate Fadahunsi, insisting that statements capable of inciting electoral violence must not be tolerated.

In a video circulating online, the senator, speaking in Yoruba, was heard accusing Accord Party members of attacking APC members and urging the gathering to attack Accord Party supporters in Ilesa.

In a statement on Wednesday, Frank described the alleged remarks as ‘unguarded’ and dangerous to Nigeria’s democracy, urging the Federal Government and security agencies to act without delay.

‘I condemn the comment of Senator Francis Fadahunsi strongly and call on the security agencies to immediately act, despite his position, to arrest the senator with all urgency,’ he said.

Frank said the Senate should not fold its arms when one of its members makes statements capable of threatening peace and security during an election.

‘The Senate must immediately suspend such a senator who can make such unguarded statements. We want to see action taken as an example to every person involved in election violence,’ he said.

He said the alleged comments went beyond the Osun election, describing them as a possible indication of what he called a broader APC strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Frank also compared the matter with the detention of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged comments, questioning what he described as a disparity in the government’s response to statements by opposition figures and members of the ruling party.

He argued that a serving senator should not be treated differently if accused of remarks capable of threatening electoral peace.

He said: ‘That is why the APC and the Presidency have remained quiet. If such a statement had been made by an opposition senator or anybody in the opposition, the person would have been in prison by now.’

According to him, the alleged treatment of El-Rufai demonstrated the need for consistency and fairness in responding to political statements capable of causing public concern.

Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, appealed to the United States Government and the international community to closely monitor developments surrounding the Osun election.

‘I call on the US government, President Donald Trump, the UK, EU and the entire international community not to remain quiet over such an incendiary statement coming from a serving senator in Nigeria,’ he said.

He urged the international community to take appropriate measures against politicians whose actions or statements could undermine Nigeria’s democratic process, including possible visa restrictions where warranted.

Frank warned that the Osun election must be free, fair and credible, stressing that the will of the electorate must prevail.

‘Osun election must not be rigged. The will of the people must count in Osun. Nigerians should not take this Osun election lightly if they decide to rig it.

‘I urge the voters and citizens of Osun State not to be intimidated by these kinds of statements. I ask the voters and the people of Osun to rise up, vote and defend their votes,’ he said.

He further warned that Fadahunsi and the ruling party should be held accountable for any violence arising from the election. ‘If anything happens in Osun State, this senator and the ruling party must be held responsible,’ Frank said.

The opposition leader called on security agencies to remain neutral and professional before, during and after the election.

‘Security agencies must be professional and not go there to harass citizens and opposition members. The plot to arrest opposition members across political parties must not be allowed,’ he said.

He maintained that the credibility of the Osun election would have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s democracy and could serve as a pointer to what Nigerians should expect in the 2027 general elections.

The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and key stakeholders in the advertising industry have called for stronger collaboration among regulators, practitioners, technology companies, media organisations, academia and consumers to drive innovation and ensure the sustainable growth of Nigeria’s advertising industry.

The call was made at the fourth edition of the Advertising Industry Colloquium (AIC 4.0), held recently with the theme, ‘The Future of Advertising: Role of Platforms, People and Regulation.’

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, represented by the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Jibrin Ndace, described the theme as timely, noting that rapid technological developments were fundamentally changing how brands communicate and how consumers interact with information.

Idris said technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital platforms, big data and immersive technologies were redefining brand communication, consumer behaviour and the way societies receive information.

He said advertising had evolved beyond selling products to influencing culture, shaping public perception, driving economic activity, promoting national identity and supporting democratic participation.

‘For Nigeria, this development presents enormous opportunities as well as significant responsibilities,’ he said.

According to him, the future of advertising would be shaped by three critical pillars: platforms, people and regulation.

He noted that while digital platforms had democratised communication, they had also created concerns around misinformation, harmful content, privacy, data protection and market fairness.

‘Government believes that digital innovation must be accompanied by responsible governance that protects consumers while encouraging enterprise,’ he said.

On human capital, the minister said technology should complement rather than replace human creativity, ethics and professional judgment.

‘Technology will never replace human creativity, ethics and strategic thinking. Artificial Intelligence may generate content, but authentic storytelling, cultural understanding, emotional intelligence and professional judgment remain uniquely human,’ he said.

He described Nigeria’s youthful population as a major asset in the global creative economy, stressing the need for investment in education, digital literacy, innovation and creative entrepreneurship.

The minister also described effective regulation as critical to sustainable industry development, arguing that a predictable and transparent regulatory framework would protect consumers, promote fair competition and build investor confidence.

‘Effective regulation is not an obstacle to growth; it is the foundation for sustainable development,’ he stated.

The Director-General of ARCON, Dr Olalekan Fadolapo, said the colloquium had continued to provide a platform for thought leaders, regulators, practitioners, academics and emerging professionals to exchange ideas on the future of advertising and marketing communications.

Fadolapo said the rapid transformation of the industry had created both opportunities and responsibilities for stakeholders.

‘As technology reshapes communication and digital platforms continue to influence consumer engagement, the need for responsible innovation, professional excellence and effective regulation has never been more critical,’ he said.

He stressed that no single stakeholder could determine the future of the advertising industry.

‘The future of advertising cannot be shaped by one stakeholder alone. It requires collaboration that inspires innovation, stakeholders who drive creativity and ethical practice, and a regulatory framework that promotes trust, protects consumers and supports sustainable industry growth,’ he stated.

The keynote speaker, Mr Olu Akanmu, Director of the Tech-leap Initiative at Lagos Business School, represented by Professor Rotimi Olatunji, identified AI, personalised advertising and the growing creator economy as major trends that would shape the sector.

Akanmu said regulators must move beyond ensuring compliance with existing advertising codes and anticipate technological developments that could outpace legislation.

‘For regulators, the challenge is no longer merely ensuring compliance with advertising codes; it is anticipating technological change that often outpaces legislation,’ he said.

He said advertising practitioners would increasingly need to combine creativity, technology, ethics and data analytics, while academia must develop new theories and curricula that reflect developments in AI, behavioural economics, platform capitalism and digital governance.

The Chairman of the AIC and Journal Committee, Prof Olatunji, said the theme of the fourth edition built on discussions from previous editions, which examined changing trends in advertising education and practice, emerging technologies and the convergence of storytelling, human engagement and data-driven communication.

Industry associations including the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Out-of-Home Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN), Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (BON), Experiential Marketers’ Association of Nigeria (EXMAN) and Electronic Media Content Owners Association of Nigeria (EMCOAN) also contributed to the discussions.

Meanwhile, Kwara State University emerged winner of the annual AIC Creative Pitch competition, defeating teams from four other institutions.

The University of Ilorin came second, Rivers State University third, Kaduna State University fourth and Lagos State University, Ojo, fifth.

Kwara State University received N1 million, University of Ilorin N750,000, Rivers State University N500,000, while Kaduna State University and Lagos State University each received N250,000.

Also speaking, a member of the planning committee, Dr. Henry Koce said the colloquium would show the way forward for advertising in the future.

‘We want to see how the advertising industry would look like in the next 10 years because of what is happening. The technology is changing and we want to come together to see how the industry would be.’

Serving senators under the aegis of the Northern Senators’ Forum on Wednesday sought a permanent solution to the recurring flooding in Shiroro, Niger State.

In a statement, the Chairman of the forum, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua (Katsina Central), specifically demanded the development and implementation of a Shiroro Flood Management Master Plan.

According to the senators, the master plan should include a scientifically determined flood-buffer operating strategy for the Shiroro, Kainji, and Jebba dams, a permanent flood forecasting and early-warning system with trained local volunteers downstream and a comprehensive floodplain resettlement program that provides planned settlements, compensation, and livelihood support for affected persons.

They added that an independent technical review of dam operations, reservoir capacity, and spillway performance-in light of current climate realities-must be conducted to determine how future water releases are managed.

The Niger State Project Coordinator of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), Raji Shehu Adam, said the World Bank ordered the suspension of a gully erosion control project in Mokwa, Niger State after the devastating flood of May 29, 2025.

The flood killed dozens of people, left hundreds displaced and caused extensive damage to homes, roads and critical infrastructure across the community.

Speaking at a workshop and training on building flood resilience organised by UNESCO, with support from the Japanese government, in Niger State, Adam said the World Bank-funded project was about to be awarded when the flood occurred, forcing the state to report the development to the bank.

He, however, said the World Bank expanded the scope of the project after the state government reported the devastating flood incident.

‘One of our mandates is the restoration of Mokwa gully erosion, which was on the verge of being awarded when the flood struck on May 29, 2025.

‘We had to report back to the World Bank, informing them of what had happened. They advised that we step down the project because the scope of work had expanded, meaning we had to start almost all over,’ he said.

Adam, however, said the procurement process had been completed, adding that the tender had been opened and the report submitted for the engagement of a contractor.

The Director-General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, said Niger was among the states classified as high flood-risk areas in 2026.

He listed Mashegu, Edati, Mokwa, Gbako and Agaie as high-risk LGAs, with about 750 communities projected to be affected.

The Chairman of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme, Prof. David Jimoh, said gaps remained between early warning information and timely action by communities.

He urged governments and stakeholders to prioritise flood prevention, preparedness and resilience instead of relying mainly on emergency responses.

The UNESCO Abuja Office Officer-in-Charge, Dr Damitri Sanga, said the initiative was designed to address the gaps, particularly in Mokwa, where the 2025 floods claimed more than 500 lives, destroyed farmlands and infrastructure, and displaced thousands.

She said trainees would serve as community focal points for rainfall and river monitoring, early warning dissemination and emergency preparedness.

Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued nine kidnapped commuters after engaging suspected kidnappers along the Ajaokuta-Itobe Road in Kogi.

The incident occurred on Tuesday in Ofu Local Government Area, according to an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

The report said suspected kidnappers attacked commuters and abducted an unspecified number of passengers along the road.

Troops of 21 Battalion deployed at Patrol Base Itobe mobilised to the scene and found an abandoned Hiace bus and Toyota Sienna vehicle.

The troops subsequently exploited the criminals’ withdrawal route and made contact with them around Adumu community in Dekina Local Government Area.

The troops engaged the kidnappers, forcing them to abandon the victims and flee into the surrounding area.

Nine victims, comprising two elderly men, two elderly women, four men and an infant were subsequently rescued.

The rescued victims were handed over to the Police Area Command in Itobe for further action, while efforts continue to rescue the remaining victims, the report said. (NAN)

The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, has generated N19.84bn in revenue between January and July 2026, exceeding the N15.94bn collected throughout the whole of 2025.

The command’s Comptroller, Abdullahi Kaila, disclosed this while presenting the command’s recent enforcement activities, noting that the revenue performance represented an increase of N3.89bn, or 24.45 per cent, over its 2025 full-year collection.

Kaila attributed the improved performance to increased compliance by traders, enhanced engagement with stakeholders and strengthened operational efficiency at the land border.

He said the revenue growth demonstrated that trade facilitation and enforcement could be pursued simultaneously, as the command continued to support legitimate cross-border commerce while tightening controls against smuggling.

The Seme Command also intercepted a range of contraband goods with a combined duty-paid value of N365.1m.

Among the seizures were 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50kg, allegedly smuggled into Nigeria through illegal routes.

The Customs boss said the illegal rice imports not only deprived the government of potential revenue but also undermined efforts to promote domestic rice production and protect the livelihoods of Nigerian farmers.

‘The command also intercepted expired and unregistered pharmaceutical and other regulated products, some of which had reportedly deteriorated and were visibly decomposing’ he said.

According to Kaila, intelligence gathered by the command indicated that some of the expired products were allegedly intended to be repackaged and relabelled for sale to unsuspecting consumers.

He described the interception as a public health intervention, warning that the consumption of the products could expose consumers to food poisoning, gastrointestinal diseases and other health complications.

Kaila said the seized illicit drugs and unregistered pharmaceutical products would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further investigation and appropriate action.

The development highlights the dual economic role of the Seme border, which serves as a major gateway for legitimate trade within the West African sub-region while also remaining a target for smuggling activities.

Kaila said the command would sustain its enforcement operations while facilitating legitimate trade and supporting Nigeria’s participation in regional commerce under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

He warned smugglers that intensified surveillance and enforcement had made the Seme corridor increasingly difficult to exploit for illicit trade.

The Seme Customs boss assured legitimate traders that the command would continue to support the Federal Government’s economic reforms by improving border processes, encouraging compliance and creating an environment conducive to lawful cross-border trade.

Ahead of the official commencement of campaigns, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabi’u Kwankwaso, Monday night, held a high-level strategic meeting with key party stakeholders in Abuja.

Our correspondent learnt that the closed-door session, aimed at consolidating the party’s electoral machinery, sought to harmonize campaign efforts across state and federal levels to ensure a unified path to victory for the party in 2027.

An official statement released on the party’s verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, stated that the discussions centered on tactical preparations and the assessment of the party’s current readiness for the upcoming electoral cycle.

The party leadership emphasized a ‘coordinated campaign’ approach, stressing the need for synergy between the presidential bid and governorship campaigns to bolster the party’s prospects across all ballot levels.

Our correspondent listed those at the meeting to include Buba Galadima, a chieftain of the party, NDC State Chairmen of Kebbi and Sokoto, Alhaji Mustapha Umar and Alhaji Bello Sani Yabo respectively, among other leaders.

Not less than 25 gubernatorial candidates of the party attended the meeting.

They made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the International Conference on National Security for Socio-economic Development, organised by Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS Nigeria) in collaboration with the Muslim World League of Saudi Arabia.

They warned that allowing religious and ethnic differences to divide the country would worsen insecurity and undermine development.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who represented Tinubu at the conference, said the Federal Government was working to address the country’s security challenges while strengthening national unity.

He said the conference came at a critical time when Nigeria and other countries were facing complex security threats.

‘This government is working very hard to ensure security in our nation and is also collaborating with other countries in the world to ensure global peace,’ he said.

Jibrin urged participants to share experiences and develop practical solutions to support efforts to restore sustainable peace.

Stop religious insults – Sultan

The Sultan urged Christians and Muslims to stop insulting one another, saying mutual respect and religious tolerance were essential for peaceful coexistence.

‘We must be honest with ourselves that Christians can stop insulting Muslims. Muslims can stop insulting Christians. And that’s how we live in peace,’ he said.

He said neither Christians nor Muslims should regard themselves as superior to others, stressing that all people were created by God.

‘We are not here to say we are better than anybody. We are not better than anybody. He is the creator of us all. He will determine who is better,’ the Sultan said.

He also urged Nigerians to revive the culture of caring for their neighbours regardless of their religion or ethnicity.

The Sultan expressed concern over abuse on social media, warning against the spread of false and disparaging statements about public officials.

He urged Nigerians to focus on solving the country’s problems rather than promoting disintegration.

‘Unite against insecurity’

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the diversity of participants at the conference demonstrated a shared commitment to peace.

He urged Nigerians to work together irrespective of their religious, ethnic and political differences.

‘All of us need to come together, think as Nigerians, think as human beings, and work together, irrespective of our differences, so that we can act as one,’ Idris said.

He warned that allowing religious differences to influence the fight against insecurity would worsen the situation.

‘There is no time for differences. If, in our fight against insecurity, we allow religious differences, it will only exacerbate the problem,’ he said.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, said Nigeria’s diverse faiths, ethnicities, languages, cultures and traditions should be turned into sources of strength rather than division.

He urged Nigerians to look beyond religious and ethnic identities and focus on their shared humanity and common destiny.

Yilwatda said the key question was not whether Christians and Muslims could live together, but ‘what kind of nation are we building by the way we live together?’

He said the cordial relationship between the country’s Muslim and Christian leaders demonstrated that religious differences should not prevent friendship, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, Sheikh Dr Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, warned against extremism, saying it sought to impose a single way of thinking on humanity.

He said diversity was part of God’s creation and that attempts to eliminate it through violence and conflict were bound to fail.