Category: Daily Trust

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.

The Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, says the Service has resolved the operational challenges of inadequate water and fuel supply and is now better positioned to respond effectively to emergencies.

He stated this on Tuesday after unveiling a quarter guard at the FFS headquarters and another at the Wuse Area Command in Abuja.

Adeyemi said that when he assumed office a year ago, he pledged to reposition the Service and restore public confidence in its ability to protect lives and property.

‘I was asked what would be part of my legacy, and I said I want Nigerians to have trust in the Federal Fire Service in terms of saving lives and property. They must have that trust in us.

‘A report came to me last week about one of our officers in Plateau State who entered a diesel tank to save someone. He risked his life and, though he ended up in the hospital, he was able to save a life.

‘Gone are the days when people would call the Fire Service and we would say there was no water or no diesel.’

The Controller-General said the quarter guards are more than physical structures, describing them as symbols of discipline, professionalism, unity and the spirit of the Service.

Commending the officers who funded the projects, he said their contributions reflected the enabling environment created by his administration.

‘You will recall that when I assumed office about a year ago, one of the major commitments I made to our officers and men was to prioritise their welfare,’ he said.

He added that staff motivation had improved significantly through enhanced welfare packages, medical interventions and access to loan facilities.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) in a statement said the accident occurred when the driver of a Mack flat-bed articulated trailer allegedly lost control due to excessive speed and rammed into a moving Toyota mini truck.

The impact caused the mini truck to somersault before crashing into one of the motorcycles, leaving one person dead at the scene and two others with varying degrees of injuries.

LASTMA officials, who were on routine traffic patrol along the Coastal Road corridor, responded to the incident alongside other emergency responders. The injured victims were rescued and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The agency also secured the accident scene, managed traffic around the affected area and coordinated the evacuation of the damaged mini truck, helping to restore the free flow of vehicles.

According to LASTMA, the response of emergency personnel prevented prolonged traffic disruption despite the severity of the collision.

Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed sadness over the loss of life and blamed the crash on excessive speeding.

He urged motorists, particularly drivers of articulated vehicles, to comply with speed limits and traffic regulations, warning that reckless driving continues to be a major cause of fatal road accidents in the state.

Bakare-Oki called on all road users to adopt safer driving habits, avoid dangerous manoeuvres and obey traffic laws to reduce road crashes and protect lives.

The new Permanent Secretaries are Malam Abdu Usman, Dr Sani Suleiman, Dr Shamsuddeen Yahaya Suleiman and Dr Hussaini Hamisu Yanduna.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, Radda said the appointments were based on competence, experience and hard work, rather than personal connections.

He urged the appointees to justify the confidence reposed in them by ensuring transparency, accountability and adherence to due process in their respective ministries, departments and agencies.

‘The Oath of Office is not merely a ceremony. It is a commitment to integrity, accountability and faithful service,’ he said.The governor said the appointments, which cut across different local government areas, were also aimed at promoting equal opportunities in the civil service.

He, however, expressed concern that some local government areas could not produce eligible candidates because they lacked officers with the required qualifications or grade levels.

‘It is our hope and prayer that, in the coming years, every Local Government Area in Katsina State will produce qualified officers capable of competing successfully and serving as Permanent Secretaries,’ he said.Radda also charged senior civil servants to mentor younger officers and facilitate knowledge transfer to ensure continuity and strengthen the service.

He said his administration would continue to promote professionalism, institutional capacity and digital transformation across government institutions.

This brings to an end nearly six months of anguish for their families and communities.

The Kwara State Government announced the development on Wednesday through its official Facebook page.

It described the release as a major breakthrough and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, security agencies and everyone who contributed to the operation.

‘Alhamdulillaah and kudos to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, security forces, and everyone who played a role in this huge feat. We are grateful!’ the government stated.

Although authorities were yet to disclose the details of the operation as of press time, multiple community sources told Daily Trust that security personnel, backed by military hardware, had moved into the forest earlier in the day before news of the victims’ freedom filtered into the communities.

Aliyu Umar, a resident and member of the community negotiating team through a mediator, said reports reaching the communities indicated that the Federal Government had mounted a rescue operation.

He said residents of nearby Wawa reported seeing seven or eight long vehicles escorted by Army armoured tanks moving into the forest.

He added that information circulating within the communities suggested the captives had been handed over to government officials.

‘We were hearing that the Federal Government was making moves. Information reaching me was that they had been handed over. People in Wawa saw several vehicles and Army armoured tanks heading into the forest,’ he said.

The Village Head of Woro, Alhaji Salihu Umar, gave a similar account.

He said available information to the community suggested a Federal Government rescue team had entered the forest to receive the victims.

According to him, residents had reported seeing buses, Army gun trucks and other security vehicles heading towards the area.

‘We had not spoken with the victims ourselves at that point, but everything we were hearing suggested they had been handed over to the rescue team,’ he said.

Also confirming the development, Dr Abdul Ibrahim, who had played a prominent role in community efforts to secure the captives’ freedom, said the circumstances surrounding their release were still unclear.

‘Yes, it is true. They are arranging vehicles to bring them to Il?rin. We do not know exactly how they secured the release. We do not know whether there was any negotiation or ransom involved. At this stage, we simply do not know the circumstances,’ he said.

The release marks a dramatic turnaround after months of uncertainty that had triggered protests, appeals and desperate negotiations by affected families.

Only last weekend, hundreds of residents, youths and women staged a peaceful protest in Kaiama, demanding urgent government intervention after the captives spent 171 days in terrorist custody.

The protesters marched through the town, carrying placards and urging the Federal Government to intensify rescue efforts while calling for stronger security around communities bordering the Kainji Lake National Park, which they described as a major criminal hideout.

The latest development also comes barely five days after families disclosed that more than ?155 million painstakingly raised through community donations, personal savings and the sale of valuables had been rejected by the terrorists.

Speaking then on behalf of affected families, Dr Abdul Ibrahim told Daily Trust that the kidnappers declined the money, insisting they would only negotiate directly with the governments of Kwara and Niger states because many of the captives came from both states.

He also alleged that the abductors had threatened to kill some victims while forcing female captives into marriage, heightening fears among relatives.

The 176 victims were abducted during the coordinated terrorist assault on Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities on February 3, an attack that left hundreds dead, displaced many families and destroyed homes and public infrastructure.

The massacre sparked national outrage and prompted President Tinubu to order reinforced military deployments and intensified security operations in Kaiama and adjoining communities.

More details have emerged regarding the suspension of the chairmen of Rogo, Bebeji, and Bagwai local government councils by the Kano State House of Assembly.

According to the Majority Leader,Lawan Hussaini Dala, the action was prompted by multiple petitions alleging financial and administrative misconducts.

Daily Trust reports that the Assembly suspended Abubakar Mustapha (Rogo), Dr. Alhassan Salisu (Bebeji), and Bello Gadanya (Bagwai) following the adoption of a report by the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during plenary.

Speaking exclusively with Daily Trust, the House Majority Leader said the Assembly received petitions from a wide range of stakeholders, including community groups, civil society organisations, and elected councillors from the affected local government areas.

He explained that the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs subjected the petitions to preliminary scrutiny by examining financial and administrative records obtained from the councils and holding interactive sessions with key local government officials before recommending the suspension of the three chairmen.

According to him, the petitions alleged financial misappropriation, abuse of office, breach of public trust, fraud, and other administrative infractions.

The chairmen were also accused of incompetence in managing the affairs of their councils and diverting public funds for personal interests.

‘The investigation is far from over,’ Dala said, adding that the committee would widen its probe by inviting all relevant stakeholders to present evidence and defend their positions before arriving at its final recommendations.

He explained that, in line with the Assembly’s constitutional oversight powers, the House directed the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to ensure the immediate handover of leadership to the vice chairmen pending the outcome of the investigation.

Dala disclosed that the committee has three months to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Assembly, after which lawmakers will determine whether the allegations against the suspended chairmen have been established or whether they should be cleared.

He urged residents of the affected councils and other stakeholders to remain calm and allow the committee to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation without interference.

Our correspondent could not reach any of the suspended chairmen as of press time last night.

The attack occurred at about 10:47 p.m on Tuesday, when the assailants reportedly stormed the community and opened fire on the local security volunteers, who were keeping vigil to protect residents from possible attacks.

The victims were identified as Dachung Danjuma, 51; Victor Danjuma, 37; and Nyam Danjuma, 35.

The victims, who were biological brothers, were said to have been killed on the spot during the attack, leaving their family and the community devastated.

A member of the community, Lyop Bitrus, told journalists that the brothers were on routine night patrol when the gunmen ambushed them, throwing the community into panic as residents fled their homes for safety.

‘They were keeping watch over the community when the gunmen suddenly attacked them. Sadly, the three brothers were killed on the spot. They sacrificed their lives while protecting the community. The tragedy was particularly painful for the family of Victor Danjuma, who was married with five children,’ Lyop said.

The spokesperson of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), Mr. Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the incident, saying the attackers invaded Tarai community in Jol village under the cover of darkness and targeted the local vigilante team guarding the area.

Tengwong described the killing of the victims as heartbreaking, lamenting the continued attacks on communities in Riyom and other parts of Plateau State despite repeated appeals for improved security.

He urged security agencies to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable communities and bring the perpetrators to justice, stressing that residents could no longer continue to live under the constant threat of attacks.

spokespersons of the State Police Command and Operation Enduring Peace, SP Alabo Alfred and Captain Polycarp Oteh, had yet to respond to inquiries from our correspondent as of the time of filing this report.

Davido made the disclosure during a livestream with Nigerian content creator and streamer Carter Efe, where the conversation turned to football and his preferred national team.

The award-winning singer said his support for Portugal was influenced by his friendship with some members of the national team.

‘Because I have a lot of friends in the Portuguese team. I want Portugal to win,’ Davido said.

When Carter Efe suggested that his support for Portugal was primarily because of Ronaldo, Davido affirmed his admiration for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

‘I love Ronaldo. I’m a CR7 fan,’ he said.

Davido went further to claim that he communicates regularly with Ronaldo, describing the Portuguese star as a legend.

According to the singer, their communication goes beyond merely knowing each other, as he suggested that they exchange messages frequently.

During the livestream, Davido showed Carter Efe what appeared to be a conversation with Ronaldo on his mobile phone.

The apparent revelation drew an excited reaction from Carter Efe, who repeatedly exclaimed, ‘God, I don mad! I don mad! I don mad! I don mad!’

The moment subsequently generated reactions after clips from the livestream circulated on social media.

Davido, one of Africa’s most prominent music stars, has over the years publicly demonstrated his interest in football and interacted with several personalities in the sport.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, is widely regarded as one of football’s greatest players, having won five Ballon d’Or awards and enjoyed a highly successful career with clubs including Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus.

However, the authenticity of the apparent conversation displayed by Davido during the livestream could not be independently verified.

The Federal Government says it will begin the rollout of a 90,000-kilometre fibre optic network across the country within weeks as part of efforts to improve broadband connectivity and accelerate Nigeria’s digital economy.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, disclosed this on Tuesday after briefing President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.

He said all funding and contractual processes for the project had been completed and deployment would commence soon.

‘In a few weeks, Nigerians will begin to see us laying fibre across the country. This project will transform Nigeria for good,’ he said.

According to Tijani, the network will cover every state, geopolitical zone, local government area and ward, significantly improving internet access and service quality nationwide.

The minister also thanked President Tinubu for reforms that have strengthened the communications sector, including the designation of digital infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure, tariff adjustments and tax harmonisation.

He said the sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product had risen from between 16 and 18 per cent to nearly 21 per cent since the administration came into office.

Tijani further disclosed that the government would begin deploying about 3,700 telecommunications towers from October to provide network coverage for more than 20 million Nigerians living in underserved communities.

He also announced that Nigeria would launch an alphanumeric postcode system on October 1, giving every property a unique address to improve e-commerce, security and public service delivery.

A witness, Markus Nathaniel, said the incident happened around 5:48am on Wednesday and involved a J5 Peugeot bus with registration number JJN 605 ZY and another Peugeot bus without a registration number.

He said one of the buses, fully loaded with bananas, pineapples and oranges, was travelling at speed from the Lokoja end when it allegedly overtook dangerously, resulting in a head-on collision with the other bus coming from the opposite direction.

He said one of the buses, which was loaded with fruits, suddenly went up in flames, adding that all four occupants, including the driver, were burnt beyond recognition.

He said the corpses of the passengers were deposited at the Kwali General Hospital morgue by rescue officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

An official of the FRSC, who was part of the rescue team but preferred anonymity, also confirmed the incident, saying four people, including a driver, were burnt to death after the two buses collided.

He disclosed that the corpses were deposited at the Kwali General Hospital morgue, attributing the accident to wrongful overtaking and speed limit violation.

The FRSC official further disclosed that three persons died in another accident following a head-on collision between a vehicle and a trailer near Government Secondary School (GSS) Yangoji, along the same highway.

He said the accident also happened on Wednesday, around 8:15am, and involved a Toyota Highlander Jeep without a registration number and a Howo trailer with registration number GWL 292 YM.

He said the Jeep, which was travelling at speed from the Lokoja end, overtook another vehicle and subsequently collided with the trailer, killing three male adults in the Jeep on the spot.

He said two other occupants of the Jeep sustained injuries and were taken to Kwali General Hospital for treatment, while the three corpses were deposited at the hospital’s morgue.

He also attributed the accident to speeding and road traffic violations, saying the Jeep had been towed to the police station in Kwali, while the trailer was moved to the Yangoji FRSC Unit Command.

The FCT Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr Iliyasu Tijjani, also confirmed the two accidents to our reporter on telephone but declined to comment further.