Category: Daily Trust

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said the red chamber is working towards securing tickets for some of the senators who lost the bid to contest the 2027 general elections.

Daily Trust reports that about 40 senators across the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), among other lost the primaries.

Speaking after the 4-week recess of the Senate Akpabio congratulated those who lost the primaries in anticipation of the desired results.

He said the Senate leadership was shocked by the high number of losses suffered by incumbent lawmakers.

‘I felicitate, particularly those who have secured their mandates to represent their parties in the next election. I know that there will always be victories and disappointments, yet above every individual triumph stands a greater triumph, the triumph of democracy itself.’

‘And in this Senate, we have promised that we will have very few disappointments, and I do know that the Senate leader and the leadership of the Senate are working very hard towards that, so in advance, I will say congratulations to all of us across party lines,’ he said.

Senators Ned Nwoko, Gbenga Daniel, Danjuma Goje, Rufai Hanga, are among the lawmakers who lost return tickets.

Akpabio expressed concern over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, assuring that the government was doing its best to ensure their return.

Describing the incident as an assault on ‘our collective humanity’, Akpabio warned politicians against exploiting national tragedies for partisan advantage.

‘At moments such as these, there is a temptation to divide, to accuse, and to seek advantage from tragedy. Politicians and aspirants must resist that temptation for such cheap publicity.’

‘Let us continue to support every lawful and necessary measure to strengthen security, protect our schools, safeguard our communities, and ensure that every bandit faces the full weight of justice,’ he said.

The Kwara State Police Command has launched a manhunt for individuals involved in reprisal attacks, arson and alleged extrajudicial killings that rocked Ilesha-Baruba in Baruten Local Government Area over the weekend.

The violent incident left at least two people dead and led to the destruction of several properties.

Police said the crisis began after a Fulani boy, identified as Seke, popularly known as Bosso, allegedly attacked a Tijaniyyah cleric, Alhaji Mohammed Ilyasu, inside his residence during a Quranic class.

Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said preliminary investigations showed that both men sustained machete injuries during the confrontation and were rushed to the hospital, where the cleric was confirmed dead on arrival, while the suspect later died from his injuries.

The police said tensions escalated after some angry youths stormed the hospital, seized the corpse of the suspect and set it ablaze.

Another passer-by was also attacked and burnt to death by the mob, while about 10 houses belonging to members of the Fulani community, including the residence of the Ardo Fulani, were destroyed.

Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, condemned the violence, describing it as ‘criminal, barbaric and a direct affront to the rule of law,’ and vowed that those responsible would be arrested and prosecuted.

He urged residents to remain calm and avoid actions capable of escalating tensions or triggering ethnic reprisals.

The Emir of Ilesha-Baruba, Alhaji Halidu Abubakar, said he intervened alongside other community leaders to prevent further breakdown of law and order, appealing to youths to remain calm and allow security agencies to handle the matter.

He described the incident as painful, noting that many of the affected Fulani families had lived peacefully in the community for generations.

The Seriki Fulani of Ilesha-Baruba, Ardo Muhammed Abdullahi, said the suspect had previously worked in the area and was known as a farm labourer involved in occasional disputes over payment.

He said investigations were still ongoing to determine the exact motive behind the attack, but suggested a disagreement between the suspect and the slain cleric could not be ruled out.

Abdullahi alleged that several Fulani properties were set ablaze during the reprisal attack, including three of his own houses, adding that his wife and children narrowly escaped after being helped out of the residence through a back entrance.

He further claimed that at least two of his children were missing and expressed fear over the safety of other family members.

The Fulani leader said he had reported the incident to security agencies, including the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services, and was considering leaving the community due to safety concerns.

It is to argue that the ongoing debate about police pensions in Nigeria should now shift from calls to exit the Contributory Pension Scheme to support for reforms already introduced within it. It recognises the sacrifices made daily by officers of the Nigeria Police Force and acknowledges that demands for improved retirement welfare are both legitimate and necessary. However, it contends that recent interventions by the federal government have substantially addressed many of the concerns that originally fuelled agitation for a separate Police Pension Board.

At the centre of the discussion is the newly enhanced pension framework for police personnel. The reforms reportedly guarantee retired officers 100 per cent of their last salary as a pension for life, along with a gratuity equivalent to 200 per cent of annual emoluments and an additional 20 per cent contribution to Retirement Savings Accounts. According to the argument, these measures significantly improve retirement security, restore dignity to life after service, and strengthen morale among serving officers who can now look forward to a more stable future.

The analysis presents the reforms as not only a welfare intervention but also an institutional reform strategy. A police force that feels secure about retirement, it argues, is more likely to remain disciplined, motivated, and less vulnerable to the pressures associated with financial uncertainty. In that sense, improved pensions are framed as part of broader efforts to strengthen professionalism and public service delivery within the security sector.

The piece also warns against romanticising the old Defined Benefits Scheme, reminding audiences of the delays, corruption scandals, verification hardships, and administrative failures that characterised earlier pension systems in Nigeria. It argues that the Contributory Pension Scheme was created precisely to eliminate those problems by introducing transparency, professional fund management, accountability, and long term sustainability under the supervision of the National Pension Commission.

Rather than dismantling the current structure, the article advocates reform from within. It highlights the role of NPF Pensions Limited as a specialised institution already established to manage police pensions within the CPS framework. The argument is that strengthening and improving this system is a safer and more responsible path than creating another standalone pension bureaucracy that could eventually face the same historical weaknesses.

Another major issue raised is fiscal sustainability. The article notes that proposals for a separate Police Pension Board could cost the federal government trillions of naira over a few years, at a time when the country is already managing competing demands involving infrastructure, healthcare, education, debt obligations, and national security. It therefore questions whether a separate arrangement dependent on direct government funding would remain reliable during periods of economic pressure.

Importantly, the piece stresses that the enhanced CPS framework may already provide better benefits than the proposed alternative. It points out that while the current reforms reportedly guarantee one 100 per cent salary replacement as a pension, some alternative proposals contemplate pension ceilings of about 90 per cent. This comparison is used to argue that the existing reforms may, in fact, offer superior protection for retirees.

The broader message is that Nigeria should avoid returning to fragmented pension systems that depend heavily on political appropriations and weak oversight mechanisms. Instead, the focus should now be on ensuring effective implementation of the enhanced reforms, continuous monitoring, transparency, and periodic improvements that keep pace with economic realities.

For a television discussion, the central positive takeaway is that the government has demonstrated responsiveness to the welfare concerns of police officers without dismantling the pension architecture built over the past two decades. The conversation is, therefore, not about denying better welfare for officers, but about achieving it in a way that is sustainable, transparent, and capable of protecting retirees for generations to come.

At least two Nigerien nationals and three other masterminds linked to the abduction of school children in Papiri, Niger State, have been arrested by operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS).

The operatives also recovered a large cache of arms, including 15 AK rifles and 1,434 rounds of live ammunition from them.

Gunmen, on November 21, 2025, attacked St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri village, Niger State, abducting nearly 300 students and staff.

While about 50 of the children managed to escape in the chaos that greeted the attack, over 250 others were marched for days into the Kainji Lake Reserve forest.

On December 21, 2025, the federal government and Niger State officials confirmed the rescue and safe return of the remaining 130 students and teachers, with government officials confirming that not a single pupil remained in captivity.

Giving an update on the incident, sources within security agencies disclosed that one Yusuf Mohammed, aka Bature, and his accomplice, Mubarak Ibrahim, were arrested on the Zaria-Kaduna highway.

One of the sources said Bature has been on the list of wanted members of the Boko Haram terror organisation.

According to the official, Bature and Ibrahim were on their way to collect a consignment of arms for their commanders when they were nabbed by the secret operatives.

He also revealed that a follow-up operation led to the arrest of Goni Ibrahim, an international arms courier from Diffa Region, the Niger Republic.

He added that one Tukur Sani, identified as Ibrahim’s accomplice, was also arrested.

Another security source said AK rifles, 15 magazines and 1,434 rounds of 7.62 mm live ammunition were concealed in an unnamed blue car that the arrested men were travelling in.

The source added that days after the arrests, another member of the arms courier syndicate, identified as Alhaji Adamu aka Gado Banufe, known to be supplying arms around the Kebbi axis, was arrested in Yauri, Kebbi State.

He further disclosed that preliminary investigations established that the five men served as arms couriers to the gunmen who carried out the November 2025 attacks.

Neither the DSS nor the Office of the National Security Adviser could be reached for comments on the arrest but the Country Director of Global Peace Foundation Nigeria, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, confirmed the arrest.

Hayab, who doubles as the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and FCT, said people of good conscience should not only criticise government when it fails to meet expectations but should also acknowledge positive outcomes whenever they occur.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, has disclosed that visa restrictions have been eased for Nigerians.

The UAE’s Ambassador to Nigeria disclosed this during a visit to Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, according to her spokesperson, Magnus Eze, in a statement on Sunday.

Al-Shamsi also explained that there were no longer visa rejections for Nigerian nationals travelling to the UAE.

According to him, no fewer than 15,000 Nigerians travelled to the UAE in the last year.

He said Nigeria’s bilateral relations with his country will soon receive a boost as First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) opens in Lagos, adding that the UAE’s leading carrier, Etihad Airways, will commence operations in Abuja this year.

Nigeria holds its relations with the UAE in the highest esteem, and the two countries have maintained warm, cordial, and mutually beneficial diplomatic ties since 1971.

Economic relations between the two countries have remained robust and dynamic, especially in non-oil trade, driven by strong trade flows, investment partnerships, and people-to-people exchanges.

The Ambassador applauded his country’s relationship with Nigeria, noting that non-oil trade between them grew from $ 4.3 billion in 2024 to $ 5 billion in 2025.

He projected that it may hit about $ 8 billion in 2027.

The envoy stated that his country stands firmly with Nigeria in its fight against terror and has issued at least eight statements to date condemning terrorist attacks in Nigeria.

On her part, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs said both countries are working towards the implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which they had signed.

The Minister noted that CEPA will transform economic ties between the two nations and deliver tangible benefits for Nigerian businesses, professionals and workers.

Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu said that Nigeria remains firmly committed to creating an enabling environment for Foreign Direct Investment, including from UAE-based sovereign wealth funds and private sector entities.

The minister was gratified that, through sustained dialogue and engagement, visa issues had been significantly addressed, and that over 15,000 Nigerians had visited the UAE after the easing of restrictions.

‘I am restating the commitment of Nigeria to mutual diplomatic ties with the UAE. We remain committed to working together to continue moving our bilateral relations from strength to strength,’ she stated.

Two serving police officers from Lagos State narrowly escaped what could have been a tragic mob attack after they were mistaken for suspected kidnappers in Ogun State.

The incident occurred on Monday in Kanuyi Community, Simawa, Sagamu Local Government Area of the state, where residents reportedly apprehended the officers and raised an alarm over alleged kidnapping activities.

Photos and videos of the men quickly circulated on social media, fueling speculation and public concern.

However, the Ogun State Police Command has clarified that the individuals were not kidnappers but serving officers attached to a Police Mobile Force Squadron in Lagos State.

Police Spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, in a statement on Monday night said upon receipt of a report on the incident, police operatives were immediately mobilized to the scene, where the individuals were rescued from an agitated crowd and taken into protective custody for proper identification and investigation.

‘Preliminary investigation revealed that the individuals were serving police officers attached to a Police Mobile Force Squadron in Lagos State.

‘Further findings established that the officers had inadvertently lost their way while returning from an official duty post in Sagamu and were consequently mistaken for suspected kidnappers by some members of the public,’ Babaseyi said.

According to him, verification conducted by the Command confirmed their identities through valid police identity cards, official deployment documents, uniforms, and other service materials.

‘Their parent formation also authenticated their status as bona fide members of the Nigeria Police Force engaged in lawful duties,’ he said.

The Police Publicist said the command further discovered that before the arrival of police operatives, the officers had been searched, photographed, and video-recorded by some members of the public, leading to the circulation of misleading content on social media.

‘While the officers fortunately escaped physical harm, the incident subjected them to needless public suspicion and emotional trauma despite their commitment to safeguarding lives and property,’ he said.

Babaseyi said the command appreciated the vigilance of residents and their readiness to support security efforts.

He, however, urged members of the public to exercise caution and avoid mob actions against any suspect.

‘This incident highlights the challenges and sacrifices security personnel make daily in the discharge of their duties.

‘It also underscores the importance of cooperation between the public and law enforcement agencies in promoting safety, preventing misinformation, and ensuring that innocent persons are not unjustly subjected to public condemnation,’ Babaseyi said.

He said the command remains committed to protecting lives and property, strengthening community policing, and fostering public trust through professionalism, accountability, and prompt response to security concerns.

‘Residents are encouraged to continue reporting suspicious activities while allowing law enforcement agencies to carry out necessary verification and investigations,’ he added.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted 15,212 bags of smuggled rice with an estimated value of N907.78 million during the first quarter of 2026, underscoring the continuing challenge of illegal rice imports and their impact on Nigeria’s agricultural and trade policies.

Data obtained by our Correspondent from the Customs Enforcement Investigation and Inspection Department showed that 286 rice seizure cases were recorded between January and March 2026.

The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the intercepted consignments, according to the data, stood at N1.38 billion during the period.

The figures revealed significant month-to-month variations in enforcement activities, with February accounting for the highest volume of seizures.

In January, Customs officers intercepted 4,027 bags of smuggled rice in 64 separate operations.

The consignments had a Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) value of N244.77 million, while the duty payable amounted to N97.82 million, bringing the DPV to N342.58 million.

Seizures rose sharply in February, increasing by 56.5 per cent to 6,301 bags from 127 interception cases.

The seized rice had a CIF value of N360.11 million and attracted duty payments estimated at N200.69 million, resulting in a DPV of N560.80 million.

However, the volume of seizures declined in March to 4,884 bags from 95 cases, representing a 29 per cent drop from February.

The CIF value of the intercepted rice stood at N302.91 million, while the duty involved was estimated at N169.30 million. The DPV for the month was valued at N472.21 million.

Speaking on the development, Eugene Nweke, Head of Research at the Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC), said rice smuggling remains largely driven by market realities, including supply shortages and price differentials between Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

According to him, while Customs enforcement can reduce the inflow of smuggled rice, eliminating the practice entirely remains difficult because of the transnational nature of the trade and the economic incentives it creates.

Nweke noted that neighbouring countries continue to benefit from rice imports destined for the Nigerian market, while smugglers exploit porous borders to circumvent import restrictions.

He stressed that sustainable solutions would require a comprehensive review of rice importation policies, coupled with increased investment in local rice production, processing and value-chain development to close the supply gap and reduce dependence on imports.

The latest seizure statistics underscore the broader policy dilemma facing the government as it seeks to protect local rice producers, boost food security and curb revenue losses from illicit trade while ensuring adequate supply of a staple consumed by millions of Nigerians.

As electric bikes continue becoming more common in cities around the world, conversations around mobility are increasingly being matched by discussions about safety and consumer trust.

In recent years, ebikes have evolved from niche recreational products into practical transportation solutions used for commuting, outdoor exploration, and everyday urban mobility. With that growth, however, comes greater attention to the quality, reliability, and safety of the technology powering modern electric bikes.

That is one reason UL certification is becoming increasingly important across the ebike industry.

Why Safety Standards Matter in a Growing Industry

Modern electric bikes rely on advanced systems that combine motors, batteries, controllers, and charging components into a single riding platform. While these technologies offer convenience and flexibility, they also require strict safety standards to help ensure long-term reliability.

As the industry continues expanding, more consumers are beginning to look beyond speed and range alone. Riders are also paying closer attention to battery safety, charging systems, and overall product quality before making purchasing decisions.

UL certification helps address these concerns by introducing recognized testing standards designed to evaluate electrical safety and system performance.

For many riders, certification has become an important sign that a product has undergone additional levels of safety evaluation before reaching the market.

Building Consumer Confidence in Electric Mobility

As ebikes become more integrated into daily transportation, consumer confidence is becoming a larger part of the conversation surrounding electric mobility.

People are increasingly using electric bikes not only for recreation, but also for commuting, neighborhood transportation, and longer everyday rides. This shift means reliability and safety now play a much bigger role in how riders evaluate modern ebikes.

Manufacturers are also beginning to recognize that long-term growth depends not only on innovation, but also on responsible product development.

Brands such as Puckipuppy have introduced UL-certified electric bikes as part of a broader industry movement toward safer and more dependable riding experiences.

Rather than focusing only on performance, many modern ebike companies are placing greater emphasis on balancing power, comfort, and rider-focused safety standards.

Safety Is Becoming Part of Modern Riding Culture

The growing attention toward UL certification also reflects broader changes happening within modern riding culture.

Today’s riders are looking for products that fit naturally into everyday life while also providing peace of mind. Whether commuting through busy urban streets or exploring outdoor environments, consumers increasingly want transportation options that feel both practical and trustworthy.

As electric mobility continues expanding, safety certification is helping create stronger standards across the industry while encouraging manufacturers to improve overall product quality.

This is especially important as electric bikes become more widely adopted by riders of different ages and experience levels.

The Future of Safer Electric Mobility

Electric bikes are expected to remain an important part of modern transportation as cities continue adapting to changing mobility needs.

Their ability to provide flexible, efficient, and environmentally conscious transportation solutions is helping reshape how people move through urban spaces.

But as the industry grows, safety will likely continue becoming one of the defining factors influencing consumer decisions and long-term trust.

UL certification is playing an increasingly important role in that process by helping raise safety expectations across the modern ebike market.

And as more brands prioritize responsible product development, the future of electric mobility may become not only more convenient, but also safer and more reliable for everyday riders.

Health and aviation authorities have intensified surveillance measures at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, with airlines operating from high-risk countries now under closer scrutiny as part of efforts to prevent the importation of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) into Nigeria.

The move followed renewed concerns over the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), prompting the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Lagos State Government, Port Health Services and other stakeholders to strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms at the country’s busiest airport.

As part of the heightened alert, authorities have identified airlines arriving from countries considered vulnerable to Ebola transmission and introduced enhanced screening procedures for passengers on such flights.

The development emerged during a joint inspection of MMIA’s health surveillance and emergency response facilities by top officials from the health and aviation sectors.

The inspection team included the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi; Airport Manager, MMIA, Mr. Olatokunbo Arewa; FAAN’s General Manager, Aviation Medical, Dr. Ibrahim Bilikisu; Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide; Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi; and the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Ismail Adeshina Abdus-Salam.

Speaking during the exercise, Prof. Abayomi commended the proactive steps already taken by airport authorities and health officials in response to developments surrounding the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.

He emphasized the need for continuous vigilance, particularly in monitoring passengers arriving from countries classified as high-risk destinations. According to him, early identification, isolation and monitoring of travellers from such locations remain critical to preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

Briefing the delegation during the inspection, Dr. Abdullahi Lawal, Officer-in-Charge of Port Health Services and Head of the Point of Entry (PoE) Team at MMIA, disclosed that comprehensive risk assessments had been conducted to evaluate the airport’s preparedness level.

According to him, the airport’s emergency preparedness and response plan has been reviewed and strengthened to address potential Ebola-related threats.

He revealed that airlines operating from high-risk countries have been identified and placed under enhanced surveillance, while health screening forms are being administered to passengers arriving on such flights.

Lawal explained that the measures form part of a broader emergency response framework designed to facilitate the early detection, reporting and management of suspected cases.

In his remarks, MMIA Airport Manager assured the visiting officials of FAAN’s commitment to maintaining strict compliance with all health and safety protocols.

He stressed the importance of prompt reporting and immediate action whenever symptoms associated with Ebola or other infectious diseases are observed among passengers.

Portland Gas Limited has unveiled plans to build a 5 million Standard Cubic Feet per Day station as part of a broader expansion strategy.

The firm’s Chief Executive Officer of Portland Gas Limited, Folajimi Mohammed, stated this during the commissioning of a 96,000 Standard Cubic Metres (SCM) Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Daughter Station in Ojota, Lagos.

According to him, the newly commissioned station built in collaboration with the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) is designed to significantly improve access to CNG and reduce waiting times for consumers.

‘The facility currently has a storage capacity of 96,000 SCM and can accommodate multiple truck-loading cycles daily. At present, we operate a virtual pipeline model, sourcing gas from a third-party mother station and transporting it to this location.

‘However, plans are underway to connect directly to the Axxela (Gaslink) pipeline network, enabling us to become both a supplier and distributor of gas to our daughter stations and other customers,’ he said.

He stated that expanding CNG infrastructure across the country remains critical to supporting Nigeria’s energy transition agenda.

‘The more stations we establish, the easier it becomes for Nigerians to access gas. We have already commissioned stations in Ojota and Kubwa, operate a mini station in Utako, and are currently developing another facility in Gwagwalada.

‘These projects will improve accessibility and encourage greater adoption of cleaner energy alternatives,’ he said.

He said that the firm has invested approximately $4 million in its Lagos and Abuja projects, with additional facilities expected to become operational in a few months, including the firm’s flagship Mother Station and an LCNG station in Gwagwalada.

Reflecting on the firm’s experience accessing funding support through MDGIF, Mohammed commended the agency’s commitment to ensuring accountability while encouraging a more streamlined application process.

‘The funding process was rigorous and required extensive documentation to demonstrate both capacity and commitment.

‘While such diligence is necessary to ensure resources are allocated to credible operators, there is room to simplify the process for companies that have already demonstrated their ability to execute projects successfully,’ he said.

He noted that increasing private sector participation will be essential to accelerating the growth of Nigeria’s gas infrastructure and achieving the Federal Government’s clean energy objectives.

‘Gas is the future. We encourage more investors and operators to participate in this sector as we collectively work towards expanding access to affordable, cleaner energy across Nigeria,’ he said.