Category: Daily Trust

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has admitted crisis within the party following the just concluded primaries that produced the candidates for the 2027 elections.

The party also admitted that time is running out to amicably resolve the issue.

Our correspondent reports that the party on Thursday moved to arrest the growing internal dissent by inaugurating a high-profile National Reconciliation Committee, chaired by renowned political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi.

The committee, tasked with harmonising a fractured party ahead of the January 2026 general elections, was unveiled Wednesday by the NDC National Chairman, Sen. Clopas Moses.

Our correspondent further reports that the party faces mounting pressure to resolve disputes stemming from recent congresses and primary elections.

The National Chairman of the party, Sen. Moses emphasized that the party has a narrow window to unify its ranks before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) opens the campaign floodgates on August 19.

‘Time is short; time is running out,’ Sen. Moses told party faithful in Abuja. ‘We cannot waste our time and energy on individual ambition. We must all bring our best work together if we are to succeed in January.’

The National Chairman acknowledged that the party is currently battling allegations of bias and financial misconduct following the selection of candidates.

He warned that unresolved grievances-often amplified by social media-threaten to undermine the presidential bid of Mr. Peter Gregory Obi and his running mate, Engr. Dr. Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Daily Trust reports that Engr. Buba Galadima is the co-chairman of the committee while Mrs Dudu Manuga, the party’s National Women Leader, will serve as the committee’s secretary.

The committee is expected to submit its preliminary findings by August 20, just one day after the commencement of official campaigns.

Accepting the mandate, Prof. Utomi pledged a transparent and fair process. ‘Parties succeed not because they never experience disagreements,’ he noted, ‘but because they have the wisdom to resolve them.’

Galadima, the committee’s co-chairman, admitted that reconciling aggrieved members would be ‘a very hard nut to crack,’ but insisted the committee would leave no stone unturned in restoring party cohesion.

He reminded aspirants that only one individual can emerge from any contest, stating, ‘Only one person can fly the flag of this party at a time.’

The veteran politician blamed Nigeria’s Electoral Act for fueling conflicts within opposition parties, arguing that the current framework makes peaceful primaries nearly impossible.

‘The process of candidate selection mandated by the Electoral Act makes it difficult for any opposition party to produce a flagbearer without rancor,’ he asserted.

Galadima recounted how disputes arising from CPC primaries once left him with a N150 million court judgment and years of legal battles, citing his personal ordeal as proof of the destructive consequences of unresolved internal party friction.

Turning his attention to the 2027 presidential race, Galadima renewed his criticism of President Bola Tinubu, insisting that the opposition must unite behind a common objective to succeed.

The Kano State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling thuggery, drug trafficking and other related crimes across the state.

Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Adamu Bakori made the pledge while receiving the Chairman of the Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drugs and Illicit Trafficking, Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, during a working visit to the Command Headquarters.

Bakori said tackling drug abuse and illicit trafficking requires a robust multi-agency approach and pledged the command’s full support through joint operations, real-time intelligence sharing, technical guidance and deployment of tactical resources to rid the state of drug peddlers, traffickers and thugs.

He noted that substance abuse has been identified as a major driver of thuggery, popularly known as Fadan Daba, particularly within the Kano metropolis, and vowed to tackle the menace decisively.

The commissioner also urged parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other community stakeholders to support security agencies by providing timely information and promoting preventive measures against drug abuse.

Speaking earlier, Rimin Gado said the visit was aimed at briefing the command on the task force’s mandate and operational plans, as well as strengthening collaboration in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the state.

He commended the police for their proactive and intelligence-driven approach to crime fighting and assured the command of the task force’s commitment to supporting police operations through advocacy, community engagement, public enlightenment and credible intelligence gathering.

The Kano State Police Command reiterated its commitment to building a drug-free and crime-free society, warning that anyone involved in illicit drug trafficking or thuggery would face the full weight of the law.

The Lilypond Export Command (LEXC) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) processed exports valued at $792.56 million in the second quarter of 2026, representing a 24.35 per cent increase over the $599.60 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.

The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Samuel Ariyibi, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing in Lagos, attributing the performance to increased export activities and improved trade facilitation measures.

According to him, the command handled 5,510 export containers during the review period, compared with 3,732 containers in the second quarter of 2025, reflecting an increase of 1,778 containers or 32.27 per cent.

Ariyibi said agricultural products remained the dominant export category, accounting for $422.08 million, up from $369.84 million recorded a year earlier.

He added that exports of manufactured goods surged to $350.67 million, an increase of $230.37 million over the $120.30 million posted in the corresponding period of 2025, describing the growth as evidence of Nigeria’s expanding industrial capacity and ongoing export diversification efforts.

In contrast, exports of solid minerals dropped sharply to $7.17 million from $91.15 million in the second quarter of 2025. Ariyibi said the decline aligns with the Federal Government’s policy encouraging local value addition before mineral exports.

On revenue generation, the area controller said the command collected N5.38 billion under the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS), representing an increase of N512.02 million, or 9.52 per cent, over the N4.86 billion realised in the same period last year.

However, export surcharge collections declined to N95.26 million, down from N149.39 million in the second quarter of 2025.

Ariyibi noted that the command’s performance followed the consolidation directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, which designated Lilypond as the dedicated command for processing containerised exports.

He said the command continued to maintain close collaboration with key regulatory agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), the Port Police and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), to ensure seamless export operations.

The controller commended the Comptroller-General for providing an enabling environment for trade facilitation, particularly in the non-oil export sector.

He also urged exporters, freight forwarders and haulage operators to comply with existing export regulations, warning that ignorance of the law would not be accepted as an excuse.

Ariyibi encouraged stakeholders to leverage the command’s open-door policy and acquaint themselves with export prohibition guidelines to ensure efficient and lawful export processing.

Transcorp Power Plc, a subsidiary of Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp Group) and one of Nigeria’s leading power generation companies, has reaffirmed its readiness to partner with the Delta State Government to close the state’s power supply gaps and unlock its full economic potential.

Speaking as a panelist at the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit 2026, themed Energy Ecosystem in Delta State, held in Asaba, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp Power Plc, Engr. Peter Ikenga reiterated the earlier submission of Transcorp Plc’s Group Chairman, Mr Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, that every developmental aspiration for Delta State needs to be powered.

At the 3-day event hosted by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Transcorp Power CEO reaffirmed commitment to powering Delta State to greater prosperity.

‘We own a nearly 1,000-megawatt-capacity power plant in Ughelli, Delta State, capable of powering two million homes, industries, schools and hospitals. We are heavily vested in powering the state to greater prosperity,’ he said.

Engr. Ikenga observed that Delta State is uniquely endowed for power generation, with huge gas reserves and a total grid-installed generation capacity of almost 3,000 megawatts, a significant asset if fully revived and operated at maximum potential.

He identified the key gaps as the need for continuous investment in gas feedstock to power the state’s thermal plants, and the extension of transmission and distribution infrastructure across the state.

‘Transcorp can bring its experience to develop an integrated power strategy for Delta State, all the way from gas production and generation to investments in transmission and distribution, to power the state to progress,’ he said.

‘We are ready to collaborate with Delta State, to work with the government to close the gaps and deficiencies, and to bring our systems and processes to play to meet the state’s transformation objectives.’

Engr. Ikenga expressed strong confidence in the state’s prospects, describing Delta as capable of becoming a leading economic force on the continent. ‘Delta State can be the number one economic engine in Nigeria, and indeed in West Africa, and Transcorp is poised to help make that a reality,’ he concluded.

The Delta State Economic and Investment Summit 2026 convened government officials, global business leaders, investors and development partners to explore strategies for accelerating industrialisation and positioning Delta State as a leading investment destination in Nigeria. Transcorp Power’s participation underscores the Group’s enduring commitment to driving inclusive economic growth across Nigeria through reliable and sustainable power.

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Osun West Senatorial District, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, has cautioned against violence before, during, and after the August 15 governorship election.

Ogunbiyi assured residents that the election would be free, fair, and credible.

He gave the assurance during the inauguration of a 100-member Election Monitoring and Mobilization Committee at his hometown in Ile-Ogbo. He emphasized the importance of the committee in ensuring that the electoral process remains transparent.

Addressing the gathering, Ogunbiyi said:

‘In Nigeria generally, when election results are declared, you will find that people resort to litigation. There is usually a need for clear documentary evidence when you have to go to court.’

He revealed that the committee members-who are all well-educated and understand the dynamics of electioneering-were drawn from all local governments in the district, with 10 representatives from each.

He added that the committee would supervise election processes starting from the distribution of materials at the local government level down to polling units. Additionally, they will establish a situation room for the West Senatorial District managed by party leaders, promptly report any issues that could disrupt the election, and document the entire electoral process from local government secretariats to polling units and collation centers.

Also speaking at the event, Hon. Akintola Omolaoye, the Chairman of Osun West Senatorial District, expressed confidence in the committee’s ability to secure victory for the APC, noting that the district’s mobilization efforts had already achieved 80 percent success.

‘We believe that by the time we mobilize and work conscientiously towards winning this forthcoming election, other elections are already 80 percent won. We don’t want to leave any stone unturned, and that is why we set up this committee today,’ Omolaoye said.

He further advised committee members to maintain peace during the electoral process, protect party members from intimidation, and ensure that victory is secured through grassroots voting while refraining from any form of violence.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says it will resolve outstanding issues and complete the relocation of Apo Mechanic village to its permanent site in Wasa District before the end of 2026.

The FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, disclosed this during a media parley held on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at his official residence in Lifecamp, Abuja.

Wike said the basic infrastructure required at the new site had already been completed, but disagreements among various traders’ associations had delayed the relocation process.

He explained that the administration was working on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the traders to ensure that the FCTA retained adequate regulatory control over the site after the relocation.

According to him, issuing Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) directly to individual traders could make it difficult for the government to maintain oversight of the area.

‘That is what we are working on. It has not been easy because there are divisions among the trader associations. If we begin to issue Certificates of Occupancy directly, the land becomes their property and the government may lose control.

‘There is a need to have an MoU so that the government will also retain control. I believe that before the end of the year, we will have resolved the issues. The infrastructure has already been provided,’ he said.

The minister did not specify when the physical relocation would begin but expressed confidence that the remaining administrative and association-related issues would be resolved before the end of the year.

The proposed relocation forms part of the FCTA’s broader efforts to reorganise commercial activities and improve land administration and urban development within the nation’s capital.

Wike also urged residents who acquired land through Area Councils to regularise their titles with the FCTA.

He said the appeal followed the Supreme Court’s ruling that land administration in the FCT falls under the authority of the Federal Capital Territory Administration.

‘No Area Council can allocate land to you. The Supreme Court has ruled that all land in the FCT belongs to the FCT Administration,’ he said.

Security operatives in Sokoto State have foiled two separate bandit attacks in Shagari and Rabah local government areas, forcing the attackers to abandon a total of 452 rustled domestic animals after gun battles with a joint security team.

The attacks, which occurred on Tuesday evening, targeted Horo Birni and Marake villages in Shagari LGA as well as Maikujera village, a remote settlement in Rabah LGA.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday.

According to him, at about 7:20 pm on Tuesday, armed bandits in large numbers attacked Horo Birni and Marake villages in Shagari LGA, firing sporadically before rustling an unspecified number of domestic animals.

He said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Shagari mobilised all tactical teams, including operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Village Community Response Unit (VCRU) and personnel of the Military Forward Operating Base (FOB), who engaged the attackers in a gun battle.

‘The hoodlums were overpowered and escaped through a nearby forest, abandoning all the rustled animals,’ the statement said.

Police said security operatives recovered 195 cows, 84 sheep and two camels during the operation.

The command added that two villagers sustained gunshot wounds during the attack and were rushed to hospital for treatment.

Rufa’i said that in a similar incident at about 8:10 pm on Tuesday, armed bandits attacked Maikujera village, a remote hamlet in Rabah LGA, shooting sporadically before rustling 171 domestic animals, including camels, cows, sheep and goats.

He said the DPO, who was already on alert, immediately mobilised all tactical teams, including the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the VCRU, blocked the exit routes from the village and engaged the bandits in another gun battle.

According to the statement, the bandits were overpowered and fled through a nearby forest, abandoning all 171 rustled animals, which were subsequently recovered.

The Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State Command, Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, commended the DPOs, tactical teams, VCRU operatives and the military for their swift response and professionalism, saying their actions foiled the attacks and ensured the recovery of all the rustled animals without any loss of life among security personnel or villagers.

Former Benue State Governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, has dismissed as false reports alleging that he and other leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are plotting to replace the party’s 2027 governorship candidate in the state, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa (SAN), with the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Pius Akutah.

Ortom, in a statement issued on Friday by his Media Assistant, Zege Paul Terhide, described the social media report as mischievous, misleading and a deliberate distortion of facts.

He explained that the meeting in question involved himself, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Patrick Abba Moro, and the PDP governorship candidate, Chief Aondoakaa, alongside prominent Benue stakeholders, including Chief Simon Shango, Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher, Dr. Pius Akutah, Engr. Emmanuel Ameh and Dr. Matthias Byuan.

Ortom said the gathering formed part of ongoing consultations aimed at building a broad strategic alliance of Benue stakeholders in the overall interest of the state and not to discuss any change in the party’s governorship ticket.

He stressed that at no point during the meeting was the issue of replacing Aondoakaa raised, considered or included on the agenda, describing claims to the contrary as political mischief intended to mislead the public.

The former governor reaffirmed that Aondoakaa remains the duly nominated PDP governorship candidate for the 2027 election, adding that the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice enjoys the confidence and full support of the party’s leadership.

He expressed confidence in Aondoakaa’s experience, competence and capacity to tackle Benue’s security and economic challenges and provide purposeful leadership if elected.

Ortom warned those spreading what he described as fabricated reports to desist from disseminating false information capable of creating confusion among party members and the public.

He urged PDP members, supporters and the people of Benue State to disregard the report, insisting that no amount of misinformation would derail the party’s efforts to build a formidable coalition ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has commenced the clearing of drainage channels and evacuation of waste across the council to prevent flooding during the rainy season.

The Chairman of the council, Hon. Danjuma Samuel Shekwolo, disclosed this while inspecting the exercise on Wednesday.

Represented by the Director of Environmental Health, Gloria Apugo, Shekwolo said the exercise formed part of the administration’s commitment to improving environmental sanitation and eliminating heaps of refuse dumped in drainage channels, particularly around the Kuje Township Stadium.

He said the initiative was aimed at clearing blocked drainages, eliminating illegal refuse dumps and promoting a cleaner and healthier environment across the council.

According to Apugo, the Environmental Sanitation Committee immediately mobilised to the affected locations, deploying trucks and a wheel loader to facilitate the evacuation of accumulated waste.

She added that sanitary guards and vigilantes would be stationed at the sites to enforce compliance and prevent indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

Apugo said the prompt commencement of the exercise demonstrated the council chairman’s commitment to fulfilling his campaign promises and improving environmental sanitation across the area.

‘The chairman remains resolute in his determination to rid Kuje of indiscriminate waste dumps in order to create a cleaner, safer and healthier environment for all residents. He is committed to delivering practical and lasting solutions to environmental challenges across the council,’ she said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Sanitation Committee, Habakkuk John, said residents would soon begin to enjoy a cleaner and healthier environment.

‘We expect the evacuation of refuse to be completed within three days, while the clearing of the drainage channels will take about one week,’ he said.

He noted that the accumulation of refuse, particularly around the Kuje Township Stadium, had become an eyesore and posed a serious health risk to residents.

A resident, Barrister Raji, commended the council for the initiative and urged it to sustain the exercise.

Forty six victims rescued after spending months in captivity following the February abduction in Woro, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, are still receiving treatment in hospitals, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has disclosed.

The governor made the disclosure on Friday while receiving the rescued abductees in Ilorin, where the victims, mostly women and children, were handed over by the Commander of 22 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Nicholas Rume.

Daily Trust reports that the attack on February 3 left scores of residents dead, while 176 people were initially reported to have been abducted and taken into the forest.

However, 163 victims were eventually accounted for when the captives were brought out of the forest, leaving 13 people unaccounted for.

The development has raised fresh concerns over the fate of those still missing, even as the rescued victims were moved to Ilorin for medical assessment and further support.

AbdulRazaq said the government had directed that all the rescued victims receive appropriate medical attention as part of measures to help them recover from the ordeal.

‘As you can see, children and women are here today. We have about 46 of them in the hospital. Government will continueto do its best to safeguard lives and property in the state,’ he said.

The governor described the February attack on Woro as regrettable and said the government was yet to fully come to terms with the scale of the incident.

‘It is regrettable that the Woro incident happened at all. We are grateful to God that our collective effort has paid off. Everyone has been rescued alive,’ he said.

He said the return of the victims was only an interim stage in the government’s response, noting that authorities were still assessing the situation and did not yet have all the facts surrounding the incident.

‘This is an interim process because we don’t have all the facts yet. We pray this kind of thing will not happen again,’ AbdulRazaq said.

The governor also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his ‘swift response to the security challenges confronting the state’.

According to him, the President had approved the establishment of five Army battalions in strategic locations across Kwara State.

He listed the locations as Kaiama, Patigi, Kosubosu, Omu-Aran and Ilemona.

AbdulRazaq said the measures were part of a broader effort to strengthen security across the state, adding that the 9 Division of the Nigerian Army had also been established in Kwara.

He further disclosed that the 22 Armoured Brigade currently based at Sobi was being moved to Bode-Saadu.

The governor said the Federal Government had also approved 1,000 Forest Guards for the state, while another 1,600 personnel were undergoing training.

‘From the president’s action you will see that there is a lot of seriousness to protect Kwara and Nigeria. This will be a security shield on Kwara,’ he said.

AbdulRazaq said he had repeatedly approached the President over the security situation in Kwara, particularly at critical moments, and that the Federal Government had responded with additional security interventions.

‘I kept on mounting pressure on the president to make sure that the state was safe.

‘We truly appreciate his effort in ensuring that this will not happen again. This is indeed a very sad situation. We have not come to terms with this,’ he said.

The Emir of Kaiama, Muazu Umar, described the prolonged captivity of the victims as a period of severe hardship for the community.

‘Throughout the six months and four days, we have been in turmoil. We thank God we are able to get here. Though, we lost some people in the process,’ the emir said.

He thanked President Tinubu for his support and prayed for the eventual rescue of any victims who may still remain in captivity.

‘The people that are still with them, we pray one day they be rescued,’ Umar added.

He said the rescue was achieved through the combined efforts of the various security agencies involved in the operation.

‘It was a sad event, but today I am happy to introduce to you the people through the combined effort of the security agencies we have been able to rescue,’ he said.

The brigade commander commended the agencies involved and described the operation as an example of the synergy among Nigeria’s security forces.

He also praised the state government for its support, particularly in providing logistics and other assistance to security personnel operating in the area.

He said security agencies would sustain their operations against banditry and insurgency in the state.

‘You will agree with me that this year there has been a reduction in the incidents we have been recording in the state. I pray that we will win the battle against our enemies,’ he said.

The Chairman of Kaiama Local Government Area, Abubakar Danladi, described the return of the victims as a moment of relief for the community.

‘We are highly delighted to gather here to witness the handing over of our people kidnapped in Woro. We are happy to be here to receive them wholeheartedly,’ Danladi said.

He prayed that the communities, Kwara State and Nigeria would not experience another incident of such magnitude.