Category: Daily Trust

Cameroon have secured a place in the semi-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after defeating defending champions Nigeria 1-0 in their quarter-final clash in Casablanca on Sunday.

Myriam Maéva Nyadjou Wamen scored the decisive goal in the 19th minute at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium to give the Indomitable Lionesses an early lead.

The Super Falcons responded strongly after conceding and dominated much of the latter stages of the first half as they searched for an equaliser.

Nigeria continued to apply pressure after the restart, creating opportunities around the Cameroon penalty area, but the Super Falcons were unable to find a way through the Indomitable Lionesses’ defence.

Cameroon’s goalkeeper also produced a crucial close-range save in the second half to deny Nigeria an equaliser and preserve her side’s advantage.

Despite Nigeria’s sustained pressure, Cameroon held on to secure a 1-0 victory and book their place in the last four of the competition.

The defeat ended Nigeria’s defence of the WAFCON title and denied the Super Falcons a place in the semi-finals.

The result also means Nigeria will miss out on one of the four automatic qualification places for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil reserved for the WAFCON semi-finalists.

Nigeria had entered the quarter-final as defending champions and had enjoyed a dominant record against Cameroon in previous WAFCON meetings.

The Super Falcons had defeated the Indomitable Lionesses 1-0 in their quarter-final encounter in 2022 and were seeking another victory to continue their title defence.

Nigeria had also reached the knockout stages at every centralised edition of the WAFCON and were aiming to extend their record of appearances at the FIFA Women’s World Cup to 10.

Cameroon’s victory, however, ended those hopes and sent the Indomitable Lionesses into the semi-finals.

Cameroon will face Morocco in the semi-finals after the hosts defeated South Africa 2-1 in their quarter-final.

The victory gives Cameroon an opportunity to advance to the final of the continental competition, while Nigeria will now turn their attention to regrouping after their unexpected exit from the tournament.

A man reportedly on his way to church has been shot dead by suspected gunmen at Fann community in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident, according to residents, occurred at about 8 a.m. on Sunday, throwing the community into panic and tension.

A resident of the area, Erica Dung, who confirmed the incident, expressed sadness over the killing, describing it as another painful attack on innocent residents.

Dung lamented that residents were becoming increasingly worried over the spate of attacks and killings in communities across the local government area. The latest incident came amid renewed concerns over the security situation in parts of Barkin Ladi and neighbouring communities, with residents continuing to appeal for stronger security measures.

Also reacting, the Publicity Secretary of Berom Youth Moulders, Rwang Tengwong, condemned the attack, describing the killing as unacceptable and calling for urgent action to protect residents.

Tengwong urged security agencies to intensify surveillance and patrols in vulnerable communities.

While appealing to the Plateau State Government and security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators are identified and brought to justice, he urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements to the appropriate authorities.

Efforts to get the reaction of security operatives to the incident were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

Former Plateau State Governor, Jonah David Jang, has explained why the crisis in the state has persisted for years, describing efforts by successive administrations to address the situation as ineffective.

Daily Trust reports that hundreds of people have been killed in various crises across the state since 2001, while property worth millions of naira has also been destroyed.

For more than two decades, the crises have continued to affect several communities, with repeated attacks leading to loss of lives and displacement of residents.

In his new book, ‘From Airman to Politics: My Life’, unveiled in Jos on August 1, Jang gave reasons he believed the crisis had persisted.

‘When I look back on the roots of the crisis that engulfed Plateau State, I see a tragedy that was both historical and man-made. It was a storm that had been brewing for decades, yet it was allowed to erupt because of a series of failures in leadership and governance,’ Jang said.

According to the former governor, ‘The Plateau crisis is about identity, land, justice and belonging. Long before the bombs, machetes and the mass burials, there were subtle signs: grievances left unaddressed, tensions ignored, rights denied and injustice institutionalised.’

He added: ‘The question of indigene versus citizenship haunted our state. Who had the right to land? Who had the right to contest elections? Who had the right to be called a son or daughter of Plateau?

‘These questions festered in silence until they erupted into bloodshed.’

Jang, a former military governor of Benue and Gongola states, blamed successive administrations after his tenure for failing to take what he described as decisive steps to address the crisis.

Proffering solutions to the crisis, Jang said Plateau needed not only security measures but also healing, reconciliation and reconstruction.

‘What Plateau needs and still needs is not just security but healing as well. Not just reconstruction, but reconciliation as well.

‘We must return to the drawing board and ask: What does it mean to be a Plateau citizen? How do we share land, power and opportunity in a way that respects history and embraces equality?

‘These questions were ignored during the years of violence, which is why the crisis continues,’ Jang added.

Rep Abdussamad Dasuki, Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reconsider the staggered arrangement for the 2027 general election and hold the federal and state elections on a single day.

Dasuki also raised concerns over Section 63 (2) of the Electoral Act which, he warned, could potentially compromise the integrity of the 2027 general election by allowing ballot papers without the prescribed official mark of the electoral commission to be counted under certain circumstances.

He said this at the weekend while receiving youths from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who visited to congratulate him on his emergence as Deputy Minority Leader.

Addressing the youths, the lawmaker said conducting the 2027 general election on a single day would save the country huge economic losses arising from the disruption of socio-economic activities associated with staggered general election.

He argued that a one-day election would also significantly reduce the financial burden on government, as allowances and other expenses for ad hoc electoral personnel, security agencies and other election-related logistics would be incurred for only one day instead of two separate election days. He said this had become necessary considering the paucity of funds for other needs having direct impact on the welfare of the people.

According to him, combining the elections would equally reduce the number of election-related trips that Nigerians and other participants would have to undertake, particularly in view of the country’s security challenges.

He explained that under the current arrangement, people travelling for election purposes could be required to make one trip in January for the federal elections and another in February for the state elections. A single election day, he said, would mean that such journeys would only have to be made once.

Dasuki urged INEC to merge the federal and state elections and conduct them in either January or February 2027.

He said the combined election would involve five ballot papers covering the presidential, senatorial and House of Representatives elections at the federal level, as well as the governorship and State House of Assembly elections at the state level.

The deputy minority leader maintained that INEC had the capacity to manage the five ballot papers efficiently and effectively if adequate preparations were made ahead of the polls.

He further noted that the existence of eight off-cycle governorship elections would make a single-day election even more practicable, as governorship elections would not be held in 8 states during the 2027 cycle. He added that in those 8 states, the ballot papers would reduce to four.

Dasuki said the arrangement would not only simplify the electoral process but also help reduce the movement of voters, political actors, election officials and security personnel across the country.

‘Considering the security situation in Nigeria, participants should not be required to make two separate journeys for elections when the process can be efficiently organised to take place on one day,’ he said.

Raising concerns over a provision of the Electoral Act which, he warned, could potentially compromise the integrity of the 2027 general election by allowing ballot papers without the prescribed official mark of the electoral commission to be counted under certain circumstances, Dasuki wants Section 63(2) of the Electoral Act to be expunged.

He argued that the provision could create a loophole capable of facilitating the use of fake or unauthorised ballot papers during elections.

He drew attention to the provisions of Section 63(1) and (2), particularly the apparent contradiction between the two subsections.

Quoting Section 63(1), he said: ‘Subject to subsection (2), a ballot paper which does not bear official mark prescribed by the commission shall not be counted.’

He, however, expressed concern over the qualification contained in Section 63(2), which provides:

‘Where the returning officer is satisfied that a ballot paper which does not bear the official mark was from a book of ballot papers which was furnished to the presiding officer of the polling unit in which the vote was cast for use at the election in question, he or she shall, notwithstanding the absence of the official mark, count the ballot paper.’

Rep Dasuki argued that permitting ballot papers without the prescribed official mark to be counted could expose the electoral process to abuse and make it difficult to distinguish genuine ballot papers from counterfeit ones.

He assured that the minority leaders are working to ensure that it was corrected before the 2027 elections.

The lawmaker also commended the recent increase in the salaries of members of the Armed Forces, describing the measure as a step in the right direction.

He, however, called for further improvements in the welfare of military personnel, particularly in the area of accommodation.

Dasuki stressed that all military personnel should be provided with decent accommodation, noting that improved living conditions were essential to the morale and effectiveness of the Armed Forces.

He also reiterated his earlier call for forfeited properties to be handed over to the military for use as accommodation and other facilities.

The lawmaker said strengthening the welfare of military personnel was particularly important given the demanding security responsibilities they continue to shoulder across the country.

Pure Eve Ltd and GuduGudu Herbal Worldwide Enterprise have warned consumers against counterfeit versions of their herbal product, Menofix, currently circulating in the market.

The companies, in a joint statement signed by their Head of Corporate Communications, Peter Oriri, also clarified that the officially approved name of the product is Menofix Herbal Capsule, rather than simply ‘Menofix’ and that the company going forward will no longer call its product Menofix, rather its full name which is Menofix herbal capsule as duly certified and registered by NAFDAC.

Oriri said the product is registered and certified by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) under registration number A7-103321L, issued to Pure Eve manufacturer, GuduGudu Herbal Worldwide Enterprise. He urged consumers to check the full product name and packaging before making purchases.

‘We are eternally grateful to NAFDAC for its support, guidance and public awareness efforts, which have helped make the general public aware of the circulation of fake Menofix in the market,’ he said.

He disclosed that the companies had engaged the leadership of the Idumota open drug market in Lagos and met with the chairman of drug marketers as part of efforts to curb the distribution of counterfeit products. He added that the companies would continue to monitor the market and work with relevant stakeholders to protect consumers.

Oriri further announced plans to introduce a verification sticker on the product to enable consumers authenticate it. ‘Going forward, we will also put a verification sticker on our products that you can scan to be sure it is from us,’ he said.

The companies also thanked customers for their feedback and continued support, reaffirming their commitment to product safety and regulatory compliance. They urged consumers to remain vigilant and report suspected counterfeit products to the appropriate regulatory authorities.

A farmer in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State has been forced to abandon his farm after bandits demanded N500,000 ransom from him before allowing him to harvest his crops.

The farmer’s son, a university student who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said his father had already paid N200,000 to the bandits but was still being threatened over the balance.

He spoke to our correspondent on the sidelines of Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) capacity-building workshop on promoting safety and security rights, accountability and access to justice held on Saturday in Makurdi.

The undergraduate said that the bandits invaded his father’s compound in one of the villages of Mbagena Council Ward of Katsina-Ala LGA about two weeks ago while he and his wife (the student’s mum) were sleeping after returning from farm.

He said the attackers demanded N500,000 ransom, but his father pleaded with them, explaining that he could not raise the money within the short period because he was yet to harvest his groundnut, beniseed, soybean and other crops.

He said the bandits initially gave his father three days to pay the ransom but later extended the deadline to one week.

The student said the need to raise the money led his father to seek financial assistance from friends and relatives where he got part of the money before he could return to the farm to harvest some of his crops.

He said his father eventually raised N200,000 and delivered the money to the bandits at midnight last Thursday.

However, before the payment was made, the student said the bandits abducted his mother after becoming suspicious that the ransom was being delayed.

He said his father was away attending a burial near Katsina-Ala town when the bandits arrived at their home, took his mother away and accused the father of deliberately avoiding payment.

According to him, one of the abductors later pleaded that the woman be released after seeing her crying and appearing traumatised.

‘She was eventually released, but not without being tortured. As I speak, my mother is suffering emotionally and physically from the pains she sustained during the torture,’ he said.

The student said when his father returned and handed over the N200,000, the bandits rejected the money and insisted that he must complete the N500,000 before he would be allowed to return to his farm.

He said the continued threats had now forced his father into hiding, leaving some of his crops unharvested.

‘They are still threatening my father over the remaining amount and he is on the run for fear of the unknown. He cannot go back to harvest everything now until he gets all the money. These people are moving freely around our vicinity and some of them are known to the villagers because they are from the same community,’ he said.

He further disclosed that other residents had suffered similar attacks, adding that his father had previously been attacked several times, with his money and goods carted away.

He said it was, however, the first time his father was being forced to pay ransom before being allowed to harvest his farm produce and that he cannot attempt to bring the matter to the notice of security for fear of consequences on his family members.

The student also alleged that villagers rarely report such incidents to the police because some residents who had attempted to do so were allegedly killed by the bandits.

Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has described reports that 5,091 Nigerians were killed in violent incidents across the country within three months as a damning scorecard on the Tinubu administration’s most fundamental responsibility, which is the protection of lives and property.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the figures are not merely statistics but a grim measure of the human cost of insecurity and the consequences of a government that has failed to match its rhetoric with the resources, discipline and urgency required to protect Nigerians.

‘Behind every number is a Nigerian whose life was cut short, a family thrown into mourning, children deprived of parents and communities condemned to fear. Five thousand and ninety-one reported killings in just three months should trouble the conscience of any government.’

Atiku said Nigeria’s worsening insecurity cannot be separated from the Tinubu administration’s fiscal indiscipline, wasteful expenditure and poor implementation of budgetary appropriations.

‘These figures are the human cost of every padded budget, every frivolous expenditure and every failure to fully implement funds appropriated for critical national priorities.

‘You cannot run the public treasury as though it were a private purse, squander scarce resources on questionable priorities and then expect soldiers and other security personnel on the frontlines to perform miracles.

‘The continued pattern of treating fiscal appropriation as an inconvenience while public resources are diverted to wasteful and politically expedient projects undermines national security and impedes the capacity of our Armed Forces and other security agencies to respond decisively to threats.’

Atiku welcomed the recently announced pay increase for military personnel but said improved remuneration, while necessary, represents only a fraction of what is required to restore morale and strengthen operational effectiveness, particularly among troops fighting on the frontlines.

‘Our soldiers deserve better pay, but morale is about much more than salaries. They require adequate equipment, operational funding, timely allowances, proper welfare for their families and the assurance that the government they defend is as committed to their mission as they are.’

Atiku said Nigerians deserve a government that cuts waste, eliminates questionable expenditure and substantially improves the implementation of budgetary appropriations, particularly for defence and security.

‘A government that cannot protect its citizens has failed the first test of governance. Nigerians cannot continue to pay with their lives for the failures, waste and misplaced priorities of an administration that has failed in its most basic constitutional duty.

‘Every Nigerian needlessly lost to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes represents a failure of the state. These are not mere statistics. They were fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, breadwinners and citizens who had every right to expect protection from their government.

‘Today, we have 5,091 reported killings in just three months, 5,091 shattered families, 5,091 indictments of this administration’s security failures, and ultimately, 5,091 reasons this government must go.’

Operatives of the Nigerian police attached to the Special Tactical Squad-Force Intelligence Department (STS-FID) have gunned down a suspected bandit kingpin, Ojiogu Elumah Martin, also known as ‘Acid’.

Acid was killed in a gun battle between his gang members and security forces during an operation against criminal groups in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.

Daily Trust reports that the operation was launched on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, following the killing of a first-class monarch, Ochia I of Ochia Kingdom, Eze Paulinus Ekwueme, in Imo.

The group was being investigated over the monarch’s killing and five other persons who were maimed on April 10, 2026, along along the Asa/Awara Road in Ohaji/Egbema, Imo State. The monarch was allegedly attacked while returning towards Owerri from a meeting he was invited in Ochia.

He had reportedly returned to Nigeria after spending about five years in the United States.

The other victims were identified as Amadi Uchechukwu Emmanuel, a traditional leader of Achia; Onyivara Maduabuchi Jornadad, a cabinet chief of Ochia; Gift Broaddic; Abraham Lincoln; and Otor Benjamin.

The police said the investigation identified ‘Acid’ as the suspected leader of the group linked to the attack.

Security sources told Daily Trust that a gun battle ensued when the operatives stormed Acid’s hideout in Ohaji/Egbema, with the duel lasting for several hours before the kingpin was killed.

Confirming the incident, the police spokesman, Anietie Iniedu, explained that when the suspect opened fire on the operatives after sighting them, promoting them to return the fire that eventually neutralised him.

He said, ‘The police recovered one AK-47 rifle, three magazines and 56 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition from the scene. Other members of the gang escaped into the forest during the operation.

‘Preliminary investigation shows that ‘Acid’ was allegedly the leader of a criminal group linked to several killings and other violent crimes in Ohaji/Egbema and nearby communities between 2024 and 2026.

‘The police are still investigating the activities of the group and the roles played by its members. Before the latest operation, STS-FID operatives had arrested four suspects and neutralised two other members of the group.

‘One of the suspects arrested earlier was Chinwendo Mirabe, also known as ‘K2’. Following the arrest of K2, the police received information that ‘Acid’ allegedly killed Emeka Ebere Nwaele on May 12, 2026.

‘He was said to have suspected that Nwaele gave information that helped the police arrest one of his gang members. The police are investigating the case as part of the wider investigation into the group.’ he added.

Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal is among top Nigerian officials expected to represent the country at the maiden Canada-Africa Investment Summit scheduled to hold in Toronto from August 10 to 15, 2026.

The summit, according to a statement issued on Sunday by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, will focus on digital rails and inclusive growth, as well as opportunities for economic cooperation and investment between Africa and Canada.

Other members of the Nigerian delegation include the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo; Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum; Kaduna State Governor, Sen. Uba Sani; and Plateau State Governor, Caleb Muftwang.

The delegation also includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole; and Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, among others.

The statement said Governor Lawal’s participation followed an invitation from the Presidency, which recognised his role as a key participant in strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic and economic engagement at the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Economic Conference (NDIEC).

It described the Nigeria Diaspora Economic Conference (NIDEC) as a global platform that brings together governments, investors, multinational companies, development finance institutions, foundations and other stakeholders to establish strategic partnerships and explore investment opportunities.

According to the statement, the summit is expected to support the economic objectives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, particularly through the National Energy Transition Plan and efforts to deepen Nigeria’s partnership with Canada in areas of economic development.

The Zamfara State Government said the summit would also provide an opportunity for the state to attract investments, technology transfer, development funding and technical partnerships.

It said Governor Lawal’s participation would help position Zamfara as an emerging hub for agribusiness, strategic minerals development, human capital development and digital innovation.

The statement quoted the Zamfara State Government as saying the summit was ‘more than just a diplomatic event,’ describing it as a strategic economic mission aimed at opening new opportunities for the state.

It added that the governor would use the platform to engage potential investors and development partners on opportunities that could contribute to the state’s economic transformation.

The summit is expected to bring together governments, investors and other stakeholders to explore areas of cooperation and investment between Canada and African countries.

ýA Magistrate Court sitting at Gyadi-Gyadi, Kano, has remanded Maimunatu Idris, the 25-year-old woman accused of cutting off her lover’s genital with a knife at Durbar Hotel in Badawa.

ýýPresided over by Justice Sadiya Usman of Court No. 40, the accused was brought before the court on charges of causing grievous bodily harm and attempted murder.

ýýDuring proceedings, prosecution counsel, Barrister H. A. Sani Buhari, sought permission to read the charge sheet to the accused.

ýýMaimunatu admitted to the offense of causing bodily harm, which falls within the jurisdiction of the magistrate court, but denied or failed to respond to the charge of attempted murder, as the court lacks jurisdiction over such an offense.

ýýThe prosecutor thereafter requested a date for continuation of the trial, which the court fixed for September 9, 2026.

ýýJustice Usman ordered that Idris be remanded in prison custody pending the next hearing.

Daily Trust reported how Maimunatu, a native of Maigatari LGA in Jigawa State, was arrested on July 27, 2026 after allegedly attacking her boyfriend at Durbar Hotel in Kano.ý

ýShe reportedly invited him to lodge with her before using the opportunity to cut his genitals with a sharp knife, allegedly because she discovered he planned to marry another woman.

ýThe victim was rushed to Abubakar Imam Urology Hospital for emergency treatment, while police recovered the weapon and arrested Idris at the scene.

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