Category: Daily Trust

A financial technology firm, Opay has strengthened its users’ security with the introduction of a new feature called location guard.

The new feature was unveiled at the grand finale of the firm’s OPay Security Vote Challenge in Lagos.

According to the firm’s Chief Commercial Officer, Elizabeth Wang, the new security feature was aimed at tracking the location of fraudulent activities.

‘The cutting edge Location Guard feature uses smart location tracking to flag and prevent potentially fraudulent activity. If a transaction attempt is made from an unusual location, Location Guard immediately prompts Face ID verification, adding an intelligent extra layer of protection,’ she said.

She stressed that the firm had tightened its security with seven features, describing the new feature as the 8th and addition to the collection of the firm’s security features.

‘OPay’s core value is always customer first, and for our customers Security is the Top 1 priority. So, we built 7 security features, and the 8th is location guard and will continue to develop more for our customers so as to protect them in all scenarios where they need protection,’ she said.

Elizabeth added: ‘Location Guard is a leap forward in digital protection.It’s intelligent, proactive, and designed around real-life user behavior. Wherever our users go, their OPay account follows them – securely.

The grand finale culminated in the crowning of four winners from Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. These winners were flown into Lagos, alongside other standout and creative participants.

One of the participants, Zarifa Golden-Kalio, talked about submitting her entry surrounding her Zobo business.

‘I’m a student, but I also run a small Zobo business where I sell to my colleagues. I do my best to create content around what I do, and honestly, there’s no better app than OPay. It’s made receiving payments so easy. I decided to spotlight the Scam Alert feature because it helps me keep my money safe and protected,’ she said.

Attendees included Funke Akindele, Layi Wasabi, Broda Shaggi, and Brain Jotter, who performed the viral track he created for the campaign live on stage.

The Federal Government’s new tax reforms are slated to launch in January 2026. Officials argue that the overhaul will streamline Nigeria’s notoriously tangled tax architecture and boost public-revenue collection, yet a wave of anxiety is already rippling through households, market stalls, and corporate boardrooms.

Citizens wonder how the changes will bite into take-home pay, squeeze profit margins, and raise the cost of everyday goods.

In today’s episode of Nigeria Daily, we dissect the reform’s core provisions, map out who stands to gain or lose, and surface expert opinions on whether the policy will deliver on its promised ‘simpler-and-fairer’ tax regime.

More than 500 stalls were destroyed during a fire outbreak at Shuwaki Market in Gari Local Government Area of Kano State.

According to a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Fire Service, ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, the incident occurred around 3:25pm on Wednesday.

Abdullahi said the fire service control room received an emergency call from Commander Abdulmalik Muhammad of the Gari Fire Station, reporting the inferno.

He said, ‘The crew on duty from the Danbatta Fire Station was immediately dispatched to the scene. On arrival, they found that the market – measuring about 3,000 by 2,500 feet with approximately 1,000 temporary stalls, was engulfed in flames. About 529 stalls were completely burnt to the ground.’

He added that the firefighters successfully contained the blaze, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the market.

‘One jet from Comm 9 was used during the operation,’ the statement said.

The service attributed the cause of the fire to suspected activities of individuals believed to be intoxicated residents of the market area.

No lives were lost in the incident, but the fire service reiterated its warning against unsafe practices that could lead to outbreaks, particularly in public markets across the state.

Gunmen attacked farmers who were harvesting crops in Mbor community of Mushere Chiefdom of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau state, killing three persons and injuring two others, on Wednesday afternoon.

President of Mushere Youth Movement, Kopmut Monday, confirmed the incident to Daily Trust on Thursday.

According to the youth president, the gunmen stormed the scene of the incident and opened fire on the farmers who were in the midst of harvesting crops.

The President alleged that the attackers were resident in Rongjing. they attacked our members in Mbor community while they were harvesting their crops, leading to 3 deaths and 2 gun injuries . The injured ones are in critical condition.’

Monday further explained that the community had on May 26, experienced a similar attack where seven persons were killed.

He said, ‘They have only just returned following the tragic incident in May, which resulted in the murder of seven individuals, injuries and several houses including two churches burned.’

Monday further disclosed that the attacked community was deserted following the latest attack, calling on security personnel to deploy adequate manpower to restore law and order in the region as residents cannot go about their normal activities.

He said, ‘They have only just returned following the tragic incident in May, which resulted in the murder of seven individuals, injuries and several houses including two churches burned.’

Contacted on the accusation, the chairman of Gan Allah Fulani Development Association (GAFDAN), Saleh Adamu, in Bokkos, said their members were not responsible for the attack.

‘We don’t know what happened in the area . I don’t have any information about the incident,’ he said.

The spokesperson of Operation Enduring Peace , a security Taskforce maintaining peace in Plateau did not respond to inquiry by our correspondent.

A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has ordered the remand of one Ajirotutu Bosede, a 27-year-old woman, at the Correctional Centre over an alleged inhuman act resulting in grievous harm.

The prosecutor, Inspector Akinwale Oriyomi, told the court that the defendant, on October 3, at about 12:00 hours (noon) at Matthew Street, Ado-Ekiti, unlawfully poured hot red oil on the body of one Emmanuel Ogunleye, inflicting grievous harm and life-threatening injuries.

Inspector Oriyomi further stated that the defendant, on the same date, time, and place, conducted herself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace in the society. Counsel to the defendant, Barrister Adedayo Awe, urged the court to admit his client to bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Abayomi Adeosun, ordered the remand of the defendant at the Correctional Centre until November 21, for hearing.

Cameroonian opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary has declared himself the winner of the country’s presidential election, claiming a decisive victory and calling on the incumbent president to concede and initiate a peaceful transition of power.

In a nationwide address on Wednesday, Tchiroma said his campaign had compiled reports from polling stations and verified results through field representatives, concluding that he had secured ‘more than 50% of the valid votes.’

He described the outcome as a clear rejection of the current administration and urged President Paul Biya to ‘show courage and humility’ by congratulating the winner and facilitating a smooth handover.

‘Such a repudiation of the outgoing president should, in the name of democracy and our customs, prompt him to call the winner, offer congratulations, and signal his readiness to organise a peaceful transition. Sadly, that does not appear to be his inclination,’ Tchiroma said.

Despite the lack of official confirmation, Tchiroma insisted that his camp holds two levers of legitimacy – massive popular support and the provisions of Electoral Code Article 113, which he said permits the publication of results.

‘Undeniably, these two levers make me the lawful and legitimate President of the Republic,’ he declared.

He warned that any attempt by the Constitutional Council to announce ‘falsified or tampered results’ would amount to complicity in electoral fraud.

‘The Cameroonian people – by an overwhelming majority – will never accept the Council validating ballot-rigging on an historic scale,’ he said.

Tchiroma’s speech comes amid growing unrest in Garoua and other cities, where his supporters have taken to the streets for a second consecutive day, demanding transparency and fairness in the announcement of election results.

Calling for nationwide peaceful protests, Tchiroma appealed to Cameroonians at home and abroad to ‘march for liberation and to claim our victory’.

‘Let us create a great peaceful wave to show the world that the people have had enough and want their freedom,’ he said.

Early figures suggest President Biya is currently in the lead, with the final outcome expected to be announced on Thursday.

The protests have led to clashes with security forces, prompting authorities to impose restrictions.

In Garoua, at least 20 demonstrators were arrested on October 21 and are expected to face military trial for inciting violence and public disorder, according to Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji.

In a bid to contain the unrest, officials in the Menoua division of western Cameroon have banned all public demonstrations, travel, motorcycle use, and the sale of fuel in bottles, effective from October 21 until further notice.

The Regional Economic Department of the French Embassy in Nigeria and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) have officially launched a technical cooperation project aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s institutional and operational capacities in personal data protection. While the initiative has been under development for several months, this gathering served to officially celebrate and reaffirm the partnership between France and Nigeria in advancing data protection practices.

Building on the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) of 2023, this cooperation aims to strengthen the NDPC’s capacity to conduct compliance audits, develop practical methodologies and training tools, and draw inspiration from France’s long-standing expertise in personal data regulation.

France, internationally recognized for its leadership in data protection through institutions such as the Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL) and Expertise France, will share its experience and best practices to help Nigeria consolidate and implement its regulatory framework.

As part of this collaboration, a Study Tour to France will take place later this year, allowing NDPC officials to engage directly with leading French and European institutions in charge of data protection, digital regulation, and public sector modernization. This study visit represents a key milestone in the broader roadmap designed to support Nigeria’s implementation of the NDPA and promote the development of a data protection culture across public institutions and society at large.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Edo State has disclosed that it arrested no fewer than 3,990 motorists for violating traffic rules and regulations in a two-month enforcement drive.

Speaking with Daily Trust, the State Sector Commander, Cyril Mathew, said the offenders were arrested in the months of August and September, 2025. Mathew provided the breakdown of the arrests to include 2,075 motorists in August and 1,915 in September.

He noted that 95 were arrested specifically for overloading their vehicles within the period.

Mathew listed the most common traffic violations in the state to include: overloading, failure to install speed limiting devices, route violation, fire extinguisher violation, seat belt use violation, and use of phone while driving, among other offenses.

According to the Sector Commander, the offenders were arraigned in a mobile court and fined accordingly, stating that this action would serve as a deterrent to other drivers who fail to obey road rules and regulations.

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has ruled out any form of negotiation or ransom payment to bandits, insisting that such actions would only embolden the criminals and worsen insecurity across the state.

Bago made the declaration during a condolence visit to Rijau and Magama local government areas, where several communities were recently attacked by armed bandits.

In a statement issued in Minna by his Special Adviser on Print Media, Aisha Wakaso, the governor said Niger State had reached a point where citizens must take responsibility for their safety and resist banditry collectively.

‘We will not negotiate with bandits. I will not pay ransom. The moment we start paying, they will open shop on our heads and keep kidnapping people,’ Bago said.

‘We are surrounded by enemies, but we will not give up. The constitution gives us the right to defend our lives and property, and we will do just that. There is no going back.’

Describing the spate of attacks as a ‘state of war,’ the governor said it was both a constitutional and moral obligation to protect lives and property, adding that he would go to any length necessary to safeguard the people.

Bago expressed dismay that some communities had been overrun by criminals, forcing residents to flee their homes and live as internally displaced persons.

To strengthen security, the governor announced plans to recruit and train 10,000 members into the state’s Joint Task Force (JTF), with recruitment expected to begin immediately.

He also declared a total ban on mining activities across Zone C of the state-which comprises Magama, Kontagora, Rijau, Wushishi, Mariga, Borgu, Mashegu, and Agwara local government areas-citing illegal mining as a major driver of insecurity.

‘It is suspicious that miners can enter the forests freely, yet the bandits don’t touch them,’ he said, directing the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to arrest anyone caught engaging in mining in the affected areas.

Bago further assured victims of the latest attacks of government support, promising compensation for families of those killed, medical care for the injured, and assistance for residents who lost their livelihoods.

The Department of State Services (DSS), in partnership with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), has begun production of high-tech security equipment.

Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, who disclosed this in Abuja, described the high-tech equipment production as a major feat towards technological self-reliance in Nigeria’s security sector.

According to him, the high-tech equipment which is jointly being produced with the DSS, with full support of Mr. President, will improve intelligence gathering and effective security coverage in the country.

‘A state-of-the-art manufacturing facility jointly constructed with the DSS in Abuja, is fully-equipped with the latest security systems and technology that will transform the conduct of security operations nationwide,’ he said.

He noted that Director-General of DSS, Oluwatosin Ajayi, had always emphasised President’s vision of promoting self-reliance by Security Agencies in Nigeria and reducing importation of security equipment.

This, NASENI boss explained why both agencies trained and developed technical expertise in manufacturing the security equipment; details of which cannot be disclosed now for obvious reasons.

‘This strategic partnership leverages on NASENI’s scientific and engineering expertise to enhance research and innovation tailored specifically to the needs of the security sector,’ Halilu said.

The success of this innovation, he stated, would soon position Nigeria as a leader in security technology manufacturing in the West African Sub-Region, with positive implications for regional stability and economic development.

‘The initiative reflects the President’s broader priorities to promote self-reliance and technological advancement in security systems, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s pursuit of sustainable and security solutions,’ the NASENI boss declared.

On his part, Ajayi said the President firmly believes that Nigeria has the capacity to manufacture its own security equipment and should minimize reliance on foreign imports.