Category: Daily Trust

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Kaduna State chapter, has called on the Kaduna State Government and military authorities to investigate alleged attacks on Fulani communities in Kauru Local Government Area.

In a statement signed by its state chairman, Alhaji Abdulhamid Musa Albarka, the association alleged that personnel of Operation Enduring Peace carried out operations on July 27 in Kidundum and Worfi communities, during which houses were burnt, families displaced and cattle seized.

MACBAN also alleged that on August 2, one Anas Idris was killed and another resident, Idris Yunusa, injured during an incident at Badurun Sama, while several cattle were killed or wounded.

The association claimed that 258 cattle recovered during the operations were being kept in the custody of the Ardo of Zango District, Alhaji Ayuba Haruna Yero, pending further directives. It urged the authorities to ensure the verified owners recovered their livestock through a transparent process.

MACBAN said it had submitted a report to Governor Uba Sani, seeking a thorough investigation, compensation for victims where necessary, the release of the cattle and the establishment of a fact-finding committee.

While stressing that it holds the Nigerian Armed Forces in high regard, the association urged the military high command to investigate the allegations and sanction any personnel found culpable.

It also appealed to its members to remain peaceful and cooperate with security agencies while investigations continue.

A Bureau de Change operator, Dabo Malam Ardi, has been convicted and sentenced to two months’ imprisonment for engaging in illegal foreign exchange transactions.

Ardi was convicted after being arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a one-count charge of unlawful foreign exchange trading.

According to the charge, the defendant engaged in an illegal foreign exchange transaction outside the official foreign exchange market. He pleaded guilty when the charge was read to him.

Daily Trust reports that Ardi was arraigned before Justice F. N. Ogazi of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday.

The charge reads:

‘That you, Dabo Malam Ardi, sometime in 2026 in Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, engaged in a foreign exchange transaction other than through the official foreign exchange market and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 11(1)(a) of the National Economic Intelligence Committee (Establishment, etc.) Act, 1994, and punishable under Section 11(2) of the same Act.’

Following the defendant’s guilty plea, prosecution counsel, S. I. Suleiman reviewed the facts of the case and urged the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.

Justice Ogazi found Ardi guilty and sentenced him to two months’ imprisonment, with an option of N80,000 fine.

The Federal Government has flagged off the construction of a 13.92 megawatt-peak (MWp) interconnected hybrid solar mini-grid project in Yobe State to expand electricity access, boost businesses and support economic growth.

The project, implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) with World Bank support, was inaugurated on Wednesday at five locations across Damaturu, Potiskum, Nguru and Gashua in Bade Local Government Area.

The project comprises a 1.76MWp solar plant at Waziri Ibrahim Estate in Damaturu, a 2.98MWp installation in Gashua, a 3.20MWp plant in Nguru, and two projects in Potiskum-a 3.20MWp facility at Yarimaram and a 2.78MWp installation at Rugan Fulani.

It also includes the deployment of 40 distribution transformers to improve electricity supply within the benefiting communities.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Governor Mai Mala Buni described the initiative as one of the largest interconnected hybrid solar mini-grid investments in Northern Nigeria, saying it would provide reliable electricity to thousands of households, markets, schools, hospitals, agricultural enterprises and small businesses.

He said the investment would stimulate industrial growth, promote entrepreneurship, create jobs for youths and women, improve healthcare delivery and enhance agricultural productivity.

Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of REA, Dr Abba Abubakar Aliyu, said the interconnected hybrid mini-grids were designed to integrate with existing distribution networks to deliver reliable and affordable electricity to homes, businesses and public institutions.

He said the projects were aimed at unlocking economic opportunities by reducing energy costs and improving power supply to commercial and residential clusters.

‘We are not merely connecting communities to electricity. We are connecting them to opportunity. We are creating an environment where businesses can grow, young people can innovate, farmers can process more of what they produce, healthcare facilities can provide better services, and local economies can flourish,’ he said.

Aliyu said the projects were a product of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between REA and the Yobe State Government following the REA-Yobe Strategic Roundtable held in June 2025 to expand energy access and attract private investment.

He disclosed that the agency has an additional 14 electricity projects with a combined capacity of 15.3MWp in the pipeline across Yobe State, expected to provide about 23,870 new electricity connections.

The projects, he said, will cover communities including Jawur Katamma, Dibbwol, Dogonkuka, Malori, Turmi, Zangaya, Dole and Falimaran, as well as the Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, alongside expansion projects in Gashua, Nguru, Waziri Ibrahim, Yarimaram and Rugan Fulani.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), has projected between $30 billion and $50 billion in investments from 22 major offshore projects expected to come on stream between 2026 and 2030.

The Commission Chief Executive, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, disclosed this yesterday at the Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition, NAICE 2026, in Lagos.

Eyesan, who was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Development and Production, Engr. Enorense Amadasu, said in her keynote address that these investments are expected to increase production, create jobs and strengthen energy security.

She said: ‘Since 2024, the NUPRC has approved over US$57 billion in Field Development Plans (FDPs); some of which have translated to Final Investment Decisions (FIDs). Twenty-two (22) major offshore projects are expected between 2026 and 2030 with an estimated investment potential of $30-50 billion.

‘Beyond increasing production, these investments will create jobs, expand infrastructure, strengthen energy security and reinforce Nigeria’s position as a leading global upstream investment destination.’

Besides developing its proven reserves, Eyesan said Nigeria is building a resilient energy future by maintaining a strong pipeline of exploration opportunities that will sustain long-term growth and energy security.

According to her, since 2022, successive licensing rounds have opened access to some of Nigeria’s most prospective oil and gas acreages.

She referenced the recent 2025 Licensing Round where 31 companies emerged successful bidders for 37 oil and gas blocks after progressing through a robust, data-driven and technology enabled evaluation process.

She said the 2026 Licensing Round which is set to commence soon is showing greater promise thanks to the transparency that has characterised licensing rounds.

‘With preparations already underway for the 2026 Licensing Round, Nigeria is demonstrating that investment certainty is no longer an aspiration; it is becoming an enduring feature of our regulatory framework,’ the NUPRC boss stated.

Eyesan said infrastructure deficit continues to undermine Africa’s promising potential.

She, however, noted that Nigeria is addressing this challenge through a series of strategies.

‘We are expanding gas gathering systems, processing facilities, pipelines and export infrastructure, while promoting shared facilities, open access, third party access and field tiebacks to reduce costs, speed up project delivery, maximise the use of existing infrastructure and help bring stranded oil and gas resources into production,’ the NUPRC boss stated.

Besides these infrastructure strategies, Eyesan said stronger collaboration among government, security agencies, operators, host communities and private partners; as well as the Host Community Development Trust had led to an improvement in the protection of critical energy assets which had ultimately made Nigeria’s upstream sector more resilient.

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, who disclosed the development at a press conference in Osogbo, faulted the action, saying the EFCC instructed the bank to freeze the state government’s account without a court order.

The EFCC’s request was contained in a letter dated August 5, 2026, with reference number CR:3000/EFCC/ABJ/HQ/PFS/TA/OSUN/VOL.17/666 and signed by the commission’s Director of Investigation, Adenike S. Babalola.

The letter stated: ‘In furtherance to the above, you are kindly requested to place a Post-No-Debit on the account. This request is made pursuant to Section 38 (1) and (2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 and Section 24 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.’

Reacting, Adeleke attributed the development to plots to manipulate the August 15 governorship election, saying democracy was in danger in Osun State.

‘We received a letter from our banker, forwarding a letter from the EFCC, instructing the bank to freeze the Osun State Government Account. This action was taken without any court order,’ the governor said.

‘We are supposed to be in a democracy, where the Rule of Law must always prevail. We will therefore not accept a situation where federal agencies trample on the constitutional rights of sub-national governments.

‘This is a threat to our democracy. If we all keep quiet and allow this illegality, very soon, whatever is left of our democracy will be fully eroded.

‘All I ask is for the EFCC to explain to the good people of Osun State and to Nigerians in general, why it froze the Osun State Government Account, and show proof to support whatever reason he presents.

‘This and all other illegalities being visited on Osun state is turning our democracy into a huge joke.’

Adeleke said he had instructed the Attorney General of Osun State, Barrister Jimi Bada (SAN), to challenge the action at the Federal High Court, Osogbo.

According to a Police Scotland statement, various athletes are unaccounted for as contingents return to their countries following the 11-day Games with athletes competing in 10 sporting events.

The Commonwealth Games had lasted from July 23 to August 2, but boxing athletes who represented Uganda and Pakistan were reportedly absent as their countries left Scotland.

Four Ugandan boxers including Angel Katushabe, Nuhu Batte, Ibrahim Khemis and Emily Nakalema were reported missing in Glasgow, while Pakistan’s Qudratullah Khan was nowhere to be found.

The Ugandan boxers failed to join the rest of the delegation returning to Uganda, and one of the athletes disclosed his intention to seek asylum in Scotland.

Similarly, Khan was last seen in his hotel room around 2am, and did not join the team’s 9am gathering before departure.

According to the statement, police say it is making enquiries and engaging the home office to resolve the case of the unaccounted athletes.

‘Police Scotland has received reports of several athletes who are unaccounted for. Inquiries are ongoing to assess the circumstances, and early engagement is taking place with the Home Office.’

Similar incidents were recorded in previous Commonwealth Games, including Glasgow 2014, where dozens of athletes went missing and some sought asylum after the Games.

Ugandan athletes were also part of a number of athletes from Cameroon, Sierra Leone and Rwanda that refused to return home after the 2018 Games, with as much as 50 athletes of various nationalities said to have stayed illegally in Australia.

The testimony was made by both Most Rev(Dr) Timothy Yahaya, the Arch Bishop of Kaduna Province and Sheikh Haliru Maraya, Northern Coordinator of Global Peace Foundation.

The two religious leaders praised the Governor for buying a house for both Mrs Sarah Achi and Malam Usman Aliyu who lost their spouses at different times recently.

It will be recalled that Ven Edwin Achi, the husband of Mrs Achi, lost his life after his abduction and Malama Ummulkhairi Aliyu, an Islamic teacher, was mobbed to death at Maraban Jos last June.

Governor Uba Sani visited the deceaseds’ families and promised to buy each of them a house and to cater for the education and upkeep of Ummukhairi’s four children.

The Governor fulfilled the promise and the title documents were handed over to both Mrs Achi and Malam Usman at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House last Monday at a brief ceremony.

Expressing his gratitude to the Governor, Rev Yahaya said that he lacked words to express his joy, adding that ‘the lexicon of words look very inadequate to express our feelings from our heart of hearts, and to express our thanks.”

He argued that ”it is one thing for leaders in our clime to make a promise, and it’s another thing to keep that promise. But God has so blessed us with a Governor that when he says something, he follows his promise and keep his words.”

The clergyman further said that ”we are most grateful for your putting smiles on the faces of these families. And it is our heart’s desire and prayer, as you put smiles on the faces of this family, the Lord will put smiles on your government in the name of Jesus.”

”We equally pray that there will be lasting peace in Kaduna State. That this type of troubles will never come around again-that is our heart’s desire.

As a man of peace, a man of unity, all you have been doing, the Lord will bless it. And it will become a lasting legacy in your own regime,” he added.

Speaking also, Sheikh Maraya recalled that Ummulkhairi was murdered by a mob at Maraban Jos and Governor Uba Sani displayed his usual kindness and mercy by visiting and condoling with the family.

The Islamic cleric recalled that the Governor ” made a pledge of monetary donation, which you subsequently fulfilled. We were told that the family has indeed received a donation of N10 million.”

According to him, Governor Uba Sani also promised to continue funding the children’s education and he has directed relevant officials ”to look for a befitting quality school in Kaduna State for the children to get enrolled.”

”The Governor equally pledged to get a befitting house for the family of the Ummukhairi and befitting three-bedroom bungalow has been obtained. We thank you immensely for always ensuring that your words are in tandem with your actions,” he added.

Sheikh Maraya who is also a member of the Special Hajj Committee of the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, said that ” we thank the Almighty Allah for giving us a compassionate Governor.”

”Since you assumed the mantle of leadership, you have become a fountain of mercy to we, the good people of Kaduna State. And consequent upon that, the Almighty Lord will keep on rewarding you richly. And Insha’Allah, Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala will elevate you to a position you have never expected,” he maintained.

In his remarks, Governor Uba Sani reiterated that Kaduna States has a policy of supporting the families or the victims of banditry and insecurity since he assumed office.

He recalled that last year his administration also handed over 50 houses to the families of victims of banditry attack in the Kaduna State, adding that ” I’m also happy today we are continuing with that very important policy. ”

”As a government, we will not let the families of the victims of insecurity in Kaduna State down; we will always be with them. I’m happy today Mrs. Aichi have recovered. She was in the hospital for many months.”

In a bid to mend internal rifts and fortify its ranks ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has set up a seven-member National Reconciliation Committee to resolve grievances stemming from its recent primary elections.

The initiative was formally announced in a joint press statement signed by the NDC National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses, and National Secretary, Mr. Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, which was released to the press by the National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director.

According to the leadership, the committee has been charged with engaging party aspirants across all 36 states to resolve outstanding disputes and foster party cohesion.

Renowned political economist, Professor Pat Utomi, has been appointed to chair the committee, with veteran politician, Engr. Buba Galadima serving as Co-Chairman.

Other members of the committee are Mohammed Sanni Takori – Vice Chairman, Babatunde Alli – Secretary with Mrs. Dudu Mamman Manuga, Salvador Adegoke Moshood and Alhaji Haruna Pai as members.

To ensure thorough outreach, the NDC also announced the creation of three zonal sub-committees specifically assigned to oversee reconciliation efforts across the North, South-South, and South-East regions.

Our correspondent reports that the main committee will be inaugurated at the NDC national secretariat at 12pm on Thursday.

Party leadership expressed strong confidence that the panel’s work will smooth over internal disagreements, unite members, and build a solid foundation for the party’s upcoming national campaign.

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has urged the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to take over investigations into the controversial deaths of Mary Habila and Babatunde Tanimola, warning that both cases must not be ‘swept under the carpet.’

Falana also called for a speedy autopsy in Habila’s case and urged authorities to ensure transparent investigations into politically motivated killings in Osun State, arguing that every suspicious death deserves a thorough and independent probe.

The senior lawyer made the demands in a statement on Monday.

Falana expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding the death of Habila, who was found dead and unclothed on June 27, 2026, in a room at the country home of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Although Umahi has publicly denied any foul play, insisting that the deceased had an existing medical condition and that the matter was reported to the police, Falana questioned the handling of the incident.

He also criticised the delay in conducting an autopsy after the Nigeria Police Force rejected a request by Habila’s father to release the body for burial.

While sympathising with the family, he maintained that suspicious deaths are matters of public interest.

Falana also called for an independent investigation into the death of Tanimola, whom the Presidency recently identified as a principal suspect in the alleged establishment of a fake government agency.

He noted that the police said Tanimola died in a hotel fire in Abuja on October 22, 2025.

Falana argued that since the terms of reference of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission investigation into the alleged fake agency did not cover Tanimola’s death, the Inspector-General of Police should immediately take over the matter.

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has released the final list of successful candidates for its 2024/2025 recruitment exercise, announcing that 3,852 applicants were selected from 573,680 applications received nationwide.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this at a briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said the successful candidates were recruited into the Superintendent, Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres, with all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory represented.

Adeniyi also announced that the Service would henceforth conduct recruitment annually to ensure predictable and efficient manpower planning.

‘The Nigeria Customs Service is moving to an annual recruitment cycle. Recruitment will no longer be an occasional event undertaken every several years. It will be a standing, predictable, yearly process,’ he said.

According to him, the 2026 recruitment exercise will begin later this year and be concluded within the same calendar year, from advertisement to publication of the final list.

He said the new system would enable unsuccessful applicants to know when the next recruitment exercise would take place instead of waiting for years without certainty.

The Comptroller-General explained that the screening systems, verification processes and recruitment architecture developed during the just-concluded exercise had now been fully established, making future recruitment faster and more efficient.

‘The delays experienced in this cycle were largely due to the time required to build this system. That process has now been completed,’ he said.

Adeniyi said all applicants underwent several stages of screening, including computer-based tests and verification of credentials against the National Identity Database.

He attributed the delay in concluding the exercise to the large number of applications received and the high rate of retirements among senior management officers.