Category: Daily Trust

Operatives of the Edo State Special Security Squad have arrested 12 suspected cultists during an alleged cult initiation ceremony in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

Daily Trust reports that the squad also sealed two apartments allegedly used for cult initiation activities during coordinated raids across several hotspots in the city.

The suspects were arrested during raids carried out in Ekosodin, Isihor, Old Road off S and T Barracks, Airport Road, 19th Street, Ugbowo, Ogba-Evbuodia and Evbuomore Quarters following the recent killing of a student near the University of Benin (UNIBEN) gate on Sunday.

The squad’s spokesperson, Noah Idemudia, said the 12 suspects arrested were not directly linked to the killing but were allegedly identified as members of various cult groups after symbols, signs and other incriminating materials were reportedly found on them.

He disclosed that the suspects had been handed over to the Anti-Cultism Unit of the Nigeria Police Force, Edo State Command, for profiling and further investigation.

Idemudia explained that one of the sealed apartments located in Ogba-Evbuodia was allegedly being used for cult initiation activities.

According to him, operatives who attempted to arrest suspects at the location were attacked, prompting authorities to seal the property and invite the owner for questioning.

He further alleged that some Okaigheles across communities in the state were aiding violent crimes.

According to him, intelligence reports indicate that sophisticated weapons used in deadly attacks are often traced to communities within the state.

He warned community leaders to ensure peace within their domains, stressing that any Okaighele found in possession of unlicensed weapons would be treated as a criminal.

‘Reports reaching us indicate that some Okaigheles are allegedly harbouring criminals. Intelligence reports also suggest that sophisticated weapons used in deadly attacks on citizens are allegedly sourced from communities,’ he said.

The impression many people have of Katsina state is that it is ravaged by insecurity as a result of the unrelenting activities of bandits and kidnappers raiding whole communities abducting people for ransom.

To some extent it is very difficult to fault that image as reports come in almost on a daily basis of such untoward happenings from across the 34 local governments in the state.

However, that is not the complete picture of what is going on in the state as a critical look would reveal that notwithstanding the insecurity, the state is making remarkable progress in other areas of endeavour. Indeed, in reality Katsina state demonstrates that insecurity cannot be a hindrance to the need for progress and that the state is determined not to be deterred or distracted by the activities of criminal elements holding the state in the jugular.

This much came to fore recently when bandits struck the town of Jikamshi on the southern axis of the state, killing five persons in the process. This incident occurred on the eve of the commissioning of an ultra-modern model secondary school in the town of Radda in Charanchi Local Government Area of the state.

The siting of the school with all the modern equipment and facilities in such a remote location which can be prone to activities of bandits and kidnappers bore testimony to the state’s resolve not to be cowed. Furthermore, the state government of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda could easily have cited the unfortunate incident the previous day in Jikamshi as reason to cancel the commissioning of the school given that dignitaries from within and outside the state like the Governor of Kwara state Abdulrahaman Abdulrazak, who was scheduled to commission the model school, and the Minister of Education were invited to grace the occasion.

But the occasion duly held and was witnessed by a huge crowd of people in defiance of the ever-underlying threat of insecurity bedeviling the area where the school is located and the state in general.

In a briefing with media men after the school commissioning, Governor Radda stated that Katsina he went ahead with the event to demonstrate to the people of the state in particular and Nigerians in general that insecurity cannot be allowed to stop development and progress from happening in the state. Governor Radda stated: ”We will carry on with the development activities that we owe the people of the who voted us in to office while at the time and by the same vigour continue to tackle insecurity in the state”.

Indeed, on a recent media tour of the state along with journalists from across media platforms in the country to assess the impact of insecurity in Katsina state, I witness how this dual mandate on tackling insecurity and delivering development is being implemented.

This is not information of Katsina state gleaned from prepared information brochures delivered from the comfort and convenience of air-conditioned offices. The Katsina we saw was from field tours to areas affected by insecurity and interviews with the Governor and with officers involved in tackling the scourge amidst the various development interventions being carried out in the state.

To be honest, it can conclusively be said that there is more to Katsina than insecurity. While insecurity is a major issue in the state that has consumed numerous lives and livelihood resulting in displaced persons and refugees, that however is only one side of the Katsina story. And, unfortunately, it has gained ground as the signature story of Katsina for the sensational optics it attracts to the media platforms that often love to report stories of this nature owing to the traffic it creates.

But there is no mistaking the fact that in Katsina there are verifiable organic developments across all fields taking place under the Governor Radda administration which promises to set the state on the path of national and possible international reckoning.

Take for instance, the incipient digital revolution in the state which is being midwifed by the Katsina Directorate of Information and Communication Technology (KATDICT). This is the agency that is pioneering the digital transformation of the state through providing Information and Communication Technology services to the government. Its impact has already been felt in the digitalization of government communication and services in ministries and agencies helping to speed up bureaucratic process of governance and delivery. Indeed, KATDICT was heavily involved in setting up the digital network and platform of the three model secondary schools established in the state. Its Director, Naufal Ahmed, a tech savvy nerd with a penetrating intimate knowledge of the world of digital and information technology, plans to turn the state into a hub of Information Technology where every activity of government and even the private sector will be driven by digital application.

The same enthusiasm and hands-on approach is also noticeable in the state’s agricultural sector. At the nucleus of the state’s agricultural transformation is the Agriculture Mechanization Workshop where tractors, harvesters, irrigation implements and water pumping machines are distributed to all local governments for distribution to farmers. The interesting thing here is that the various equipment and implements, including the tractors and harvesters are imported in Completely Knock Down (CKD) form and assembled in an assembly line by locals specially trained for that purpose. The locals are not only trained to assemble the equipment they are also trained to maintain them to ensure sustainability over a long period of usage.

This is in line with the state government’s plan to speed up the transformation of agriculture in the state to a more yielding mechanized process bringing more hectares under cultivation and hence vastly increasing the quantum of agricultural production in the state.

The Katsina health sector is also witnessing a similar transformation. The key development in this regard is the digital integration of health services in all health departments from general practice to specialised ones like dental health, maternity, orthopaedic etc. The Katsina general hospital functions as focal point for the provision of medical services with operational links to all the general hospitals and health centres in the state. The Katsina General Hospital which serves as the main hub of the state’s health services has been enabled in this regard by not just installation of ultra-modern equipment and gadgets but equally importantly by provision of off-grid solar power. A very important factor in this mix is the drug procurement and medical supply revolving scheme which ensures the sourcing of medicines and drugs from all over the country and prompt and efficient distribution to all the hospitals and health centres across the state.

Such far reaching interventions have been made possible by the vision of Governor Radda under the ”Building Your Future Strategic Policy Agenda”. The Governor has evidently identified and selected very capable young officers to help drive this.

What the Governor needs to include in this cocktail of development initiatives is the international element of involving partners like UNESCO, UNICEF and WHO especially on the educational and health programmes regarding the dialysis centre and the International diagnostic imaging centre being constructed in the state.

Former Governor of Ogun State and senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has declared that he would defeat Governor Dapo Abiodun overwhelmingly in the forthcoming senatorial primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election.

Daniel, who spoke on Tuesday during an empowerment programme organised by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-Otunba Gbenga Daniel (BATOGD) Movement in Ijebu-Ode, insisted that he remained the popular choice among party members and residents of the district.

‘Without any doubt, in a free and fair primary, I will not just win, I will win overwhelmingly,’ Daniel declared.

‘Go to town and check with the people. Ask them questions. You’re here; on your way out, go to the people and ask questions about who is on the ground.’

He alleged that some forces within the party were planning to intimidate members and suppress voter participation during the primary election.

‘What the governor and others depend on is that they’re going to use violence and scare people from coming out to vote. And that’s why I’m telling our people that they should not be deterred; they should come out and vote,’ he said.

The rivalry between Daniel and Abiodun has deepened in recent weeks following a meeting of APC stakeholders in Ogun East, where the governor was reportedly endorsed as the consensus candidate for the district’s senatorial seat.

Daniel was reportedly prevented from entering the venue of the meeting held in Ijebu-Ode.

Speaking after the meeting, Former Ogun East senator, Lekan Mustapha, said party leaders adopted Abiodun because they believed he possessed the capacity to represent the district effectively at the Senate.

‘We will put a body together to deliver this message to our governor that he has been adopted as the consensus candidate,’ Mustapha had said.

However, Daniel’s political structure, under the BATOGD Movement, rejected the endorsement.

The movement’s Deputy Director-General, Tayo Onayemi, argued that the Electoral Act and APC constitution only recognise consensus backed by a written agreement of all aspirants or direct primaries.

‘There is nothing like endorsement in the Electoral Act recently signed into law by the President. What we have is consensus by agreement or direct primaries; anything short of this is null and void,’ Onayemi stated.

Both Daniel and Abiodun obtained and submitted APC nomination forms and appear set for the party’s primary.

During Tuesday’s event, which featured free medical tests as well as the distribution of empowerment items to his constituents, Daniel accused the Ogun State Government of frustrating developmental projects he had been facilitating in Ogun East.

‘The biggest problem we have in going ahead with that project is my brother and our governor. And I don’t see why this should be like this,’ he said.

He further criticised the state government over infrastructure and healthcare challenges in the district.

The former governor questioned why the government had allegedly failed to improve medical staffing and public health facilities.

‘Why has the government not been able to get international staff? We’re going to need more doctors and nurses,’ he added.

Daniel also cited the large turnout at the BATOGD event as evidence of his grassroots support.

‘The notice of this meeting was issued two days ago. The people are here standing; they’re trying to stop it again,’ he said.

‘So, how do you think the party can make progress if you don’t take into account the position and expressions of the masses of people that you see here?’

The Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) has warned that rising cybersecurity threats, economic disruptions and the activities of unlicensed practitioners could undermine the country’s digital future if urgent measures are not taken to strengthen the technology ecosystem.

The council’s president, Dr Essien Eyo, gave the warning during a virtual press conference ahead of the 2026 IT Professionals’ Assembly and Annual General Meeting scheduled to hold in Abuja next week.

Eyo said the council would intensify efforts to eliminate quackery and enforce professional standards across Nigeria’s information technology sector, stressing that only qualified and licensed professionals should be allowed to operate.

‘CPN is committed to ensuring high professional ethics and standards, and we will continue to intensify efforts to eliminate quackery, arbitrary practice and lack of standards in the IT sector,’ he stated.

He reiterated that it remains illegal for individuals or organisations to engage in computing practice in Nigeria without registration and a valid licence from the council.

According to him, the upcoming 2026 IT Professionals’ Assembly, scheduled to hold from May 13 to 14 in Abuja, will provide stakeholders with an opportunity to address emerging digital risks and strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness against evolving cyber threats.

‘The choice of the theme is both timely and strategic, reflecting Nigeria’s urgent need to strengthen its digital foundations while ensuring that no citizen, institution, or region is left behind in the rapidly evolving digital landscape,’ Eyo said.

He noted that countries across the world are grappling with rapid technological changes, cyber insecurity and widening digital gaps, making resilience and inclusion critical for sustainable growth.

‘In an era defined by rapid technological change, cybersecurity threats, economic disruptions, and evolving digital demands, resilience ensures that digital infrastructure, policies, and institutions can withstand shocks and sustain growth.

‘At the same time, inclusion guarantees that no segment of society is left behind in accessing digital opportunities,’ he added.

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector are divided over a recent agreement between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited) and two Chinese firms for the rehabilitation and operation of the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries, with experts split between optimism and deep scepticism about its prospects.

The deal, which involves Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xingcheng (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd, was signed in Jiaxing City, China, as part of a proposed Technical Equity Partnership (TEP) arrangement. It is aimed at completing outstanding rehabilitation works and restoring full operations at Nigeria’s long-dormant refineries.

The facilities involved are the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company in Warri and the Port Harcourt Refining Company in Port Harcourt, both of which have suffered years of neglect, repeated shutdowns, and failed turnaround maintenance efforts despite billions of dollars in investment over time.

The agreement has generated intense debate within industry circles, particularly over whether it represents a breakthrough for Nigeria’s struggling refining sector or yet another experimental policy that may fail to deliver meaningful results.

Optimism from downstream stakeholders

For many operators in the downstream sector, the partnership is being viewed as a necessary intervention to revive Nigeria’s refining capacity and reduce its heavy dependence on imported petroleum products.

The National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Dr Billy Gillis-Harry, described the development as a strategic and timely shift in Nigeria’s refinery rehabilitation approach.

According to him, the introduction of a technical equity partnership model signals a move towards operational efficiency, accountability, and performance-based management-elements he said were lacking in previous rehabilitation efforts.

He argued that Nigeria’s refinery challenges are not just financial but also technical and managerial, insisting that partnering with experienced international firms could help address long-standing inefficiencies.

Gillis-Harry said the initiative could restore confidence in Nigeria’s refining system and help reposition the downstream sector for long-term sustainability. He added that the integration of refining operations with petrochemical and gas-based industrial hubs would create significant economic value.

He further explained that such integration aligns with global best practices where refineries are designed as complex industrial ecosystems rather than standalone facilities.

According to him, the successful rehabilitation of the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries would generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs across engineering, logistics, retail, and support services. He noted that this would help reduce unemployment and improve livelihoods in host communities.

He also highlighted potential macroeconomic benefits, including reduced fuel importation, foreign exchange conservation, naira stability, and increased government revenue from domestic production and exports of refined products.

PETROAN expressed confidence that the initiative, if properly implemented, would improve fuel availability, enhance price stability, and strengthen the entire downstream value chain.

The association also urged the Chinese partners to strictly comply with Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act, stressing the importance of transparency, fair labour practices, and inclusive stakeholder engagement.

Despite the optimism expressed by some industry stakeholders, several energy experts have raised serious concerns about the deal, questioning both the technical capacity of the Chinese firms and the broader strategy behind the arrangement.

Energy expert Dan Kunle was particularly critical, arguing that the agreement represents a continuation of failed refinery rehabilitation attempts.

He maintained that the companies involved-Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xingcheng (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd-do not have a proven track record in refinery construction or operation.

According to him, both firms are privately owned and primarily involved in petrochemicals and industrial park management, rather than full-scale refinery development.

Kunle insisted that Nigeria should instead pursue a transparent privatisation process under the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), arguing that the refineries should be sold in their current condition to investors capable of making independent decisions on rehabilitation or replacement.

He warned that continued government-led rehabilitation efforts could lead to further financial losses, contract disputes, and delays.

‘The MoU is an exercise in futility,’ he said, adding that Nigeria has repeated similar arrangements over the years without achieving functional refineries.

He also questioned the rationale behind entering into new agreements instead of addressing structural inefficiencies in the sector, describing the move as a distraction from more urgent reforms in oil and gas production.

However, not all experts share the same level of pessimism. Energy analyst and businessman Rasheed Adeleke urged Nigerians to support the initiative while demanding transparency and accountability in implementation.

He acknowledged that Nigeria has experienced repeated failures in refinery rehabilitation but argued that abandoning efforts altogether would not solve the country’s energy challenges.

According to him, the current global oil market volatility and domestic fuel supply pressures make it necessary for Nigeria to explore all viable options for increasing refining capacity.

Adeleke stressed that the success of the partnership would depend on proper oversight, clear contractual obligations, and measurable performance targets.

He added that Nigeria must avoid the mistakes of the past by ensuring that any agreement signed translates into actual production output and not just paper commitments.

The management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has defended the agreement, describing it as a significant milestone in efforts to restore Nigeria’s refining assets.

According to the company, the Memorandum of Understanding followed more than six months of technical discussions between its teams and the Chinese partners.

It explained that the proposed Technical Equity Partnership covers completion of outstanding rehabilitation works, operational management, maintenance, and potential expansion into petrochemical and gas-based industrial projects.

The company added that the arrangement is designed to ensure long-term sustainability and profitability of Nigeria’s refineries.

It further stated that the agreement is still subject to regulatory approvals and final investment decisions, emphasising that all parties are committed to progressing in good faith.

Team Nigeria’s squad of established global stars and several rising talents is set to compete against continental heavyweights at the 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships which kicks off today in Accra, Ghana.

The delegation of 41 athletes and officials arrived Accra yesterday through Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos for the six-day competition scheduled to end on May 17.

The contingent comprising 17 male and 24 female athletes will compete for laurels across 26 track and field events.

The team will compete under the technical supervision of AFN Technical Director, Gabriel Okon, with support from an experienced coaching crew including National Head Coach, Solomon Aliyu for hurdles, Olu Sule for horizontal jumps, Deji Aliu for sprints, Gabriel Opuana for throws, Kolawole Adebayo for vertical jumps, Saheed Akinpelu for long sprints, Mavuah Esabunor for short sprints, Pade Lawal for women’s sprints.

Meanwhile, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has expressed confidence in Team Nigeria’s chances at the continental showpiece.

Team Nigeria’s stars to watch:

Tobi Amusan (100m Hurdles): The world record holder leads the contingent as the clear favorite in her signature event.

Favour Ashe (100m and Relays): One of Africa’s fastest sprinters, Ashe is expected to lead the charge in the men’s 100m and relay teams.

Rosemary Chukwuma (100m and Relays): Currently one of the season’s fastest female sprinters, she will lead the women’s short-distance team.

Chidi Okezie (400m and Relays): An experienced quarter-miler who recently helped secure a World Championship ticket for the relay team.

Oyesade Olatoye (Hammer Throw): A veteran field athlete and hammer specialist who remains a strong podium contender.

Ruth Usoro (Long Jump): A multi-talented jumper who bolsters Nigeria’s prospects in field events.

The squad also features exciting young athletes who impressed at the 2026 World Relays in Botswana, including: Miracle Ezechukwu and Tejiri Ugoh (Sprints/Relays); Aderonke Akanbi, who is part of a renewed push in distance running, competing in the 1,500m and 3,000m steeplechase as well as Godwin Tejiri and Rosemary Nwankwo (Sprints).

Max Air Limited has confirmed that one of its domestic flights operating from Abuja to Katsina made an air return shortly after takeoff following the detection of an engine-related anomaly.

In a statement issued by the airline’s management, Flight VM1620, which departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Monday, May 11, 2026, was forced to return about 15 minutes after departure when the crew of aircraft 5N-DAB, a Boeing 737-300 observed an indication suggesting an engine malfunction.

Daily Trust reports that the video of the incident had gone viral, with some passengers describing it as a near crash experience.

According to one of the passengers, a few minutes into the flight they started hearing a strange sound and the pilot had to return to Abuja.

It was learnt that many dignitaries were on board the flight including the son of the Max Air founder, Alhaji Dahiru Mangal.

‘We thank God for landing safely. It wasn’t a funny experience. We thought the aircraft was going to drop,’ the passenger said.

However, the airline played down the incident, explaining that the pilots acted in line with standard aviation safety procedures by immediately returning the aircraft to Abuja.

According to the statement, the aircraft landed safely and all passengers and crew members disembarked without any injury or incident.

Max Air further disclosed that it swiftly arranged a replacement aircraft, identified as 5N-DMK, which was deployed from Kano to Abuja to continue operations on the Abuja-Katsina route and other scheduled services.

The airline stated that its engineering and technical teams had already commenced a comprehensive assessment of the affected aircraft in accordance with regulatory standards and safety protocols.

It also noted that it remains in close communication with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and would fully cooperate with any review or investigation arising from the incident.

Reaffirming its commitment to passenger safety, Max Air said it would continue to prioritise operational safety, service quality and continuous improvement across its operations.

The airline thanked passengers for their understanding and continued patronage.

As of the time of this report, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) is yet to issue a statement on the incident.

The equities market extended its bullish run on Monday as the All-Share Index (ASI) crossed the 250,000 point mark, with investors gaining over N3 trillion amid sustained buying interest in key stocks.

Data from Nigerian Exchange Limited showed that the ASI advanced by 2.33% to close at 250,485.54 points, pushing the market’s year-to-date return to 60.97% from 57.30% recorded in the previous session.

Equities market capitalisation rose from N157.09 trillion to N160.26 trillion, while total market capitalisation stood at N215.89 trillion at the close of trading.

The rally was driven by strong demand for stocks including RT Briscoe, FTN Cocoa Processors and Livestock Feeds, alongside continued activity in banking and telecommunications counters.

Trading activity strengthened during the session as total volume traded rose by 30.82% to 1.51 billion shares, while the value of transactions increased by 17.23% to N70.10 billion exchanged in 95,093 deals.

Investor sentiment also improved sharply, with market breadth rising to 2.76x in the previous session as 56 stocks gained against 21 decliners, indicating stronger participation across the market.

The most active stocks by value traded were MTN Nigeria, First HoldCo, Dangote Cement, Zenith Bank and GTCO, which accounted for a significant share of total market turnover.

Year-to-date equities turnover also increased to N3.37 trillion, while average daily value traded climbed to N38.74 billion, highlighting sustained liquidity and continued investor participation in the market.

David Adonri, Vice Chairman of Highcap Securities, said the sustained rally reflects improving investor confidence, strong liquidity and increased positioning in fundamentally sound stocks. ‘The market is responding positively to improving investor sentiment and increased participation from both institutional and retail investors. We are also seeing renewed confidence in the resilience of listed companies and expectations of stronger corporate performance, which continue to support bullish activity on the Exchange,’ he said.

Three Nigerian journalists covering the 2026 Hajj exercise were reportedly delayed by Saudi train officials upon arrival at the Haramain High Speed Railway station in Makkah despite possessing valid travel documents, including visas and Nusuk Card.

The affected journalists were identified as Abubakar Usman Akwanga of the Nigerian Television Authority, Saad Abdulmutallib, and Abdulrahman Kadiri of the News Agency of Nigeria.

The journalists, who are members of the National Media Team covering the Hajj exercise, said they were subjected to extensive questioning and verification checks shortly after arriving in Makkah around a few minutes past 9pm.

According to them, Saudi train officials repeatedly demanded their Nusuk cards and visas and carried out detailed scrutiny of their documents before temporarily preventing them from leaving the station.

The journalists also disclosed that during the process, officials wrote statements in Arabic for them despite their inability to fully understand the language.

One of the affected journalists explained that the language barrier made the situation more frustrating as they struggled to communicate with the officials.

He added that at some point, he requested permission to use the restroom but was denied, forcing him to rely on body language and gestures while attempting to explain himself and clear doubts raised by the officials.

According to him, officials of the Nigerian liaison office were already on their way to intervene before they were eventually released after nearly one hour of questioning and document verification.

‘There was a lot of back and forth before we were finally allowed to leave for our hotel,’ he said.

Following their release, the journalists were reportedly conveyed from the train station to their hotels in a Hummer bus provided free of charge.

The incident highlights the heightened security and documentation checks currently being enforced by Saudi authorities during the ongoing Hajj operations, particularly around transportation hubs and pilgrim movement corridors.

The journalists had travelled aboard the Haramain High Speed Railway train from Medina to Mecca, a journey which typically lasts between two and two-and-a-half hours depending on the number of stops.

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has been sworn in for his seventh term after ruling the East African country for the past four decades.

Museveni, 81, had ruled the country for 40 years and was sworn in on Tuesday for a seventh consecutive term, to extend his presidency over a further five years.

Museveni took the oath of office and received the ceremonial instruments of power while being cheered by thousands in the Kampala suburb of Kololo.

The president urged Ugandans to work hard and build wealth for their families, citing the stories of individuals whose entrepreneurial spirit had paid off.

‘No more excuses,’ he said.

Many Ugandans now accept that Museveni’s presidency the only one that many millions of them have known, is nearing its end.

What remains uncertain is the nature of the transition and how orderly things would be in the time he has left in office.

Army Chief Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the president’s son and presumptive heir, oversaw days-long rehearsals of the military parade.

The parade animated inauguration of Museveni with Russian-made Sukhoi fighter jets flying noisily over official ceremonial grounds in Kampala, the Ugandan capital. (AP/NAN)