Category: Daily Trust

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested 23 foreign nationals in connection with an alleged Ponzi scheme, visa scam and other immigration-related offences in the Ota area of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the suspects were arrested by operatives attached to the Atan-Ota Division following credible intelligence received by the police.

He said the suspects were arrested last Tuesday at about 11am during a raid on a gated residential building within an estate off Iyana Iyesi, Onipanu-Ota.

According to him, the operation followed intelligence concerning suspected fraudulent activities at the location.

‘On 4th August, 2026, at about 1100hrs, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Atan-Ota Division raided a gated residential building within an estate off Iyana Iyesi, Onipanu-Ota, where 23 foreign nationals were arrested in connection with an alleged Ponzi scheme/visa scam and other immigration-related offences.

‘The operation followed intelligence received by the police concerning suspected fraudulent activities at the location. Police personnel promptly mobilised, secured the premises and arrested the suspects for further investigation,’ he said.

Babaseyi said one Malian international passport bearing the name Diakite Alfousseini was recovered during the operation.

He disclosed that following preliminary investigation, 21 of the suspects were formally handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further immigration-related investigation and appropriate action.

Babaseyi added that two suspects were retained by the police for prosecution in connection with obtaining by false pretence (OBT) and other related offences, subject to the conclusion of investigation.

‘Investigation is ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged fraudulent activities and identify any other persons connected with the scheme,’ the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, operatives attached to the Itele Division have arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered a locally fabricated cut-to-size double-barrel pistol, criminal charms, a Tecno Android phone and a UBA ATM card.

The spokesperson said the suspect and another person, who is currently at large, allegedly attempted to rob a motorcyclist at gunpoint along the Orji Block area of Itele.

He said the incident occurred on August 3 at about 12:48am after the Itele Division received a distress report from a commercial motorcyclist who alleged that two passengers he had picked up at Three Crown Bus Stop attempted to rob him at gunpoint.

‘Acting swiftly on the distress call, police personnel immediately mobilised to the location, leading to the arrest of Babatunde Olasunkanmi ‘M’, who allegedly pointed a locally fabricated cut-to-size double-barrel pistol at the victim while his accomplice made away with the victim’s red Bajaj motorcycle,’ he said.

Babaseyi added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing accomplice, while the suspect and the exhibits would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for discreet investigation.

The Cross River State Government has said the new investors taking over the iconic Obudu Mountain Resort will rehabilitate, modernise and manage the facility for an agreed period, after which the assets and improvements will revert to the state.

Since assumption of power by Governor Bassey Otu in 2023, his administration has sunk substantial amounts to rejuvenate the tourist resort until the latest agreement with the investors.

Otu, represented by his deputy, Peter Odey, disclosed this weekend at a stakeholders’ engagement in Sankwala, Obanliku Local Government Area.

Odey stressed that the concession did not amount to the sale of the Obudu Mountain Resort, Bebi Airstrip or Utanga Safari Lodge, saying the assets remained the property of the Cross River State Government.

He said the concession was the outcome of a transparent and competitive process aimed at securing a private partner capable of financing the rehabilitation, modernisation, operation and maintenance of the facilities.

According to him, the investment will include rehabilitation of the resort’s cable car, upgrading of accommodation and hospitality facilities, improvement of internal infrastructure and recreational amenities, and introduction of new attractions.

He added that the Bebi Airstrip would also be rehabilitated to improve access to the resort, while the Utanga Safari Lodge would be redeveloped as a conservation centre for wildlife, biodiversity protection, environmental education and ecological tourism.

Odey said the project was expected to create jobs and stimulate economic activities for farmers, artisans, traders, transport operators and other businesses in Obanliku, Obudu and the wider state.

He said the government would retain oversight of the concession through a Project Advisory Committee, including community liaison officers, to monitor implementation and protect the public interest.

The Deputy Governor appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, youths, women and other stakeholders to support the project, assuring them that genuine concerns would be addressed through recognised community and government channels.

The representative of the concessionaire, Living Curation Real Estate Limited, Amit Ghosh, said the company had spent more than a year working on the project and planned to revive the resort and develop Utanga Safari into a conservation and scientific research centre for endangered African species.

Ghosh also disclosed plans to rehabilitate the Ranch and Village public health centres within three months, while calling for the cooperation of host communities.

Representatives of the host communities expressed support for the concession, saying they expected it to create employment, improve infrastructure and attract tourists and investors to the area.

Seventeen bandits and 10 police officers were killed on Monday when security personnel engaged a large group of armed men moving from Zamfara State into Kebbi State.

Two civilians were also killed in the encounter around the Rafin Makuku axis of Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State, the police said.

The bandits, estimated by residents to number about 240 and travelling on more than 200 motorcycles, reportedly moved from the Sangeko Gap area of Dansadau District in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

A resident of Makuku, Malam Musa Sani, said the bandits moved in three formations and camped in a forest between Kakihum and Makuku, where they spent the night before proceeding towards Maburya on Monday morning.

He said the bandits encountered a mobile police checkpoint while attempting to enter the community and overpowered the personnel.

‘The bandits killed 10 mobile policemen and two civilians and carted away their rifles,’ he alleged.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Kebbi State Police Command, DSP Bashir Usman, said 17 suspected bandits had so far been assessed to have been neutralised.

‘This morning, our men intercepted and engaged a heavily armed group of suspected bandits moving between Zamfara and Kebbi States along the Rafin Makuku axis of Sakaba Local Government Area,’ he said.

According to him, four motorcycles belonging to the attackers were also burnt during the encounter, adding that the casualty figure remained subject to further verification.

‘Tragically, we lost 10 gallant police personnel in the engagement, while two others sustained injuries and are receiving medical attention. Two civilians also lost their lives during the encounter,’ he said.

Usman described the slain personnel as gallant officers who fought with courage and professionalism in the line of duty.

He added that the immediate priority of the command was to support the affected families, care for the wounded and sustain follow-up operations against fleeing elements.

Security personnel, including officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force operating along Kamba Road in Kebbi State, have abandoned their checkpoints due to persistent attacks by Lakurawa terrorists, Daily Trust has observed.

Our correspondent, who visited the area recently, gathered that prior to the development, there were about 20 checkpoints between Unguwar Jeji in Kalgo Local Government Area and Kamba, a border town in Dandi Local Government Area of the state.

However, following sustained attacks by the terrorists, some of the checkpoints have been abandoned, paving the way for the smuggling of goods, commodities and vehicles into Nigeria from neighbouring Niger and Benin Republics.

From Unguwar Jeji to Bunza, nine checkpoints hitherto manned by operatives of Customs, the military and the police have now been deserted.

The affected checkpoints are Dangoma 1 and Dangoma 2 in Dangoma village, Kalgo LGA; Sabon Birni; Maidahini 1, Maidahini 2, Maidahini 3 (military checkpoint); Raha Junction checkpoint (Federal Operations Unit of Customs) and Bunza checkpoint.

A resident of Bunza, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, ‘All the personnel have been withdrawn from the area. The Customs, for instance, who had the highest number of checkpoints along the road, have relocated their personnel to a mega checkpoint they recently mounted at Unguwar Jeji.’

He added that other security agencies had completely withdrawn from the road, recalling that immediately after Bunza town, there were two checkpoints – one for the military and another for the police.

‘They have all been abandoned for several months. What happened was that the Lakurawa terrorists warned the military and policemen manning the checkpoints to leave the place after they spotted policemen on duty collecting bribes from commercial motorcyclists,’ he said.

He lamented that the withdrawal is aiding smuggling, as according to him, ‘Illegal smugglers are now operating unchecked along the road.

Another resident, who also pleaded anonymity, said the absence of security personnel along the road has exposed several communities to bandit attacks.

‘In the whole of Bunza town, we don’t have a military or police base. Just last Friday, the Lakurawa terrorists chased away the soldiers manning the only remaining military checkpoint in Bunza town.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Kebbi State Police Command, SP Bashir Usman, said some of the checkpoints along the Maje-Bagudo route were deliberately collapsed, and others fortified in order to strengthen operations in the axis.

‘Any perceived reduction in the number of static checkpoints along the border routes should not be misconstrued as a reduction in security presence. Rather, it is part of a deliberate tactical shift towards more dynamic, intelligence-led and unpredictable patrol operations, including the Aberdeen patrol system.

‘This approach has become necessary in view of the evolving tactics of criminal elements, including bandits and Lakurawa, who have increasingly targeted static security positions.

‘By combining mobile patrols, intelligence gathering and joint operations with other security agencies, the Command is able to maintain effective coverage of routes such as Kalgo-Kamba while reducing the vulnerability of personnel and enhancing the safety of commuters and communities along the routes.

‘Our deployment strategy remains dynamic and is continuously reviewed in response to emerging threats and intelligence,’ SP Usman said.

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has cautioned political actors and public institutions against using state resources, government machinery and security agencies to manipulate Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.

IPAC National Chairman, Dr Yusuf Dantalle, gave the warning on Monday at a press briefing in Abuja following a meeting of the council’s General Assembly on the political situation in the state.

Dantalle said the election must reflect the free choice of the people, warning that no political party, candidate or public institution should enjoy an unfair advantage because it controls governmental structures.

He said government institutions belonged to the people and must not be turned into instruments of partisan political competition.

‘IPAC strongly condemns the use or abuse of state institutions, public resources, governmental machinery or security apparatus to intimidate political opponents, suppress legitimate political activity, manipulate the electoral process or influence the free choice of voters,’ he said.

The council also condemned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) freezing of Osun State Government accounts, describing the action as politically motivated and capable of undermining the administration of the state.

It urged the anti-graft agency to exercise caution and pursue investigations into alleged financial impropriety without actions that could affect essential services and the welfare of citizens.

Dantalle said freezing the accounts could affect the payment of salaries and other legitimate entitlements of civil servants, urging the EFCC to operate within the law and respect citizens’ rights.

‘Government institutions belong to the people and must remain institutions of the state, not instruments of partisan political competition,’ he said.

IPAC called on security agencies to remain professional, impartial and non-partisan, saying their deployment should provide confidence and protection to voters rather than create fear or intimidation.

It also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct the election transparently and ensure equal treatment of all parties and candidates.

The council appealed to political parties and their supporters to reject violence, vote buying, intimidation and inflammatory statements.

It urged the people of Osun to vote according to their conscience, remain peaceful and allow electoral officials to perform their duties.

Yellow Card, a stablecoin infrastructure provider with a foothold in Nigeria, has announced the closing of a $40 million strategic funding round to further its global expansion.

The funding, it said, will scale Global USD Accounts, Yellow Card’s end-to-end dollar account for businesses, and expand the stablecoin rails connecting it to markets worldwide. This brings Yellow Card’s total financing to over $120 million, the statement made available to our reporter added.

‘Stablecoins are here to stay, but their adoption will depend on robust infrastructure and clear real-world utility. Yellow Card is building those rails for businesses across Africa, enabling them to access and move value efficiently across markets. We believe YC is well positioned to scale across Africa and beyond and look forward to supporting its next phase of growth,’ said Alex Manson, CEO of SC Ventures.

The investment from Sony Innovation Fund reflects growing institutional interest in stablecoins for payments globally and will allow Yellow Card to deepen its reach in Asia-Pacific.

‘Sony Innovation Fund is actively investing across the web3 technology stack, and we are excited to back Yellow Card as it builds the stablecoin infrastructure layer that emerging markets need to move money faster, more reliably, and at global scale,’ said Austin Noronha, Managing Director, Sony Ventures-US. ‘By combining robust APIs, deep local fiat rails, institutional-grade security, and a strong regulatory-first approach, Yellow Card is making stablecoin-powered payments practical for banks, fintechs, and enterprises. As the company rapidly expands beyond Africa into broader emerging markets across LATAM, EMEA, and APAC, we look forward to supporting its vision of becoming a trusted bridge between traditional finance and the next generation of digital money.’

The financing will help deliver Global USD Accounts to more businesses, giving them a single account to hold U.S. dollars, hold and swap stablecoins, manage treasury, and collect and disburse local currencies on domestic rails in over 50 countries.

The accounts run on infrastructure Yellow Card has operated for years, and the new funding deepens the company’s presence in Latin America and Asia Pacific, and expands the local payment rails and currency coverage needed to scale globally. Global USD Accounts are already used and trusted by many of Yellow Card’s customers, including Visa and Western Union.

Yellow Card has facilitated over $10 billion in transactions across its network. The company supports more than 50 currencies, and holds relevant licenses, authorizations and registrations in 22 jurisdictions across North America, Europe, and Africa. Strategic partnerships with Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and Coinbase have positioned the company as an infrastructure layer for global payments players.

Fifteen people were burnt to death and 25 others injured in a road crash on the Enagi-Mokwa road in Niger State on Saturday evening.

The Niger State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Aishatu Sa’adu, confirmed the accident on Sunday.

She said the crash involved two buses travelling in the same direction.

According to her, the buses collided while one of them was overtaking at a bend, causing both vehicles to catch fire and killing 15 people.

She said the 25 injured victims were evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre, Bida, and General Hospital, Kutigi, for treatment.

Sa’adu attributed the crash to wrongful overtaking at a bend and speeding.

She stated, ‘The accident was a result of speeding and wrongfully overtaking. I advise motorists to always maintain a good speed limit and avoid wrongful overtaking.’

The Founder of Maryam Abacha American Group of Universities (MAAUN), Prof. Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo, has appointed Prof. Ibrahim A. Lawal as the new President of Maryam Abacha American University of Niger (MAAUN Maradi).

Prof. Gwarzo has served as the President of MAAUN Niger since it was established 13 years ago.

The appointment letter was presented to Prof. Lawal at a ceremony held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, where Prof. Gwarzo described the transition as part of efforts to strengthen the institution and provide opportunities for other members of the university community to contribute to its growth.

Prof. Gwarzo expressed optimism that the universities established under the group could produce future leaders of Nigeria, including a president.

‘It is my pleasure to see one of us who is a Deputy Governor. Maybe tomorrow I will see one of us as a president of Nigeria,’ he said.

He noted that, with the exception of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Nigerian universities had yet to produce a president of the country, expressing hope that one of the universities under the MAAUN group would eventually produce a president.

‘I think very soon we’ll produce a president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Insha Allah,’ he said.

Prof. Gwarzo recalled that the journey began about 13 years ago in Niger Republic, describing the institution’s early beginnings as modest but driven by determination, sincerity and integrity.

He said the group had since expanded its operations and established three universities in Nigeria, adding that its growth had attracted interest from other university organisations across Africa.

Prof. Gwarzo acknowledged the challenges associated with establishing and managing universities, stressing that running a university was not an easy undertaking.

He, however, said the group had been able to overcome the challenges through determination and the grace of Allah.

He added that the group could now proudly state that it has four private universities in Africa-MAAUN Niger-Maradi, MAAUN Kano, Franco- British International University (FBIU), Kaduna and Canadian University of Nigeria (CUN), Abuja.

He described Lawal as a ‘double professor,’ noting that he is a professor at both Maryam Abacha American University of Niger and Bayero University, Kano.

He congratulated Prof. Lawal on his appointment and wished him a successful and peaceful tenure.

‘On behalf of the management of Maryam Abacha American Group of Universities, we are congratulating you, and we wish you all the best. Insha Allah, we will see you when you are finishing your administration peacefully,’ he said.

In his remarks, Idris Muhammad Gobir, the Deputy Governor of Sokoto State and an alumnus of Maryam Abacha American University of Niger, who attended the ceremony, described the occasion as a significant moment.

He said he was among the pioneer students of MAAUN Niger, particularly the first set of students admitted into its PhD programme.

The Deputy Governor said he remained proud of his association with the institution, noting that he obtained his BSc, MSc and PhD from Maryam Abacha American University.

He also praised Prof. Gwarzo for his vision and investment in education, describing him as someone committed to creating opportunities for people to realise their dreams.

‘Alhaji Adamu Abubakar is the kind of person that we always pray to have in our community because he is one of those people whose aim is to push people to become better and create opportunities for others to realise their dreams,’ he said.

He further commended Gwarzo for investing in education at a level capable of benefiting thousands and potentially millions of people.

In his remarks, the newly appointed President of MAAUN Niger, Prof. Ibrahim Lawal, expressed gratitude to Prof. Gwarzo for entrusting him with the leadership of the institution.

He thanked Gwarzo for recognising his potential and giving him the opportunity to lead the prestigious university.

Prior to his appointment, Prof. Lawal served at Bayero University Kano, where he was Dean of the Faculty of Computing and also served as Head of Department, among other appointments, before assuming his new position at MAAUN Maradi.

The transition marks a new phase in the leadership of Maryam Abacha American University of Niger, with Prof. Lawal taking over from its long-serving President and Founder, Prof. Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit the list of candidates for the 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections by three days.

The commission, in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the deadline, which was originally scheduled to expire Saturday by 11:59pm, has now been moved to Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

INEC said the extension followed appeals by political parties for additional time to complete the submission process through its dedicated online portal.

The commission also announced the suspension of the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

INEC said voters who applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced PVCs have until midnight Sunday to print downloadable copies of their cards.

According to the commission, the measure would enable it compile data on downloaded PVCs and produce final statistics on the total number of PVCs collected ahead of the election.

INEC said PVC collection in Osun State commenced at the Registration Area level from July 22 to 28, 2026, but was extended to July 31 following complaints about large crowds and difficulties encountered by voters at collection centres.

The exercise subsequently moved to the local government level from August 1 to 7.

The commission also said replacement downloadable PVCs had been made available to voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central local government areas whose cards were stolen when hoodlums invaded the two collection centres.

It, however, assured voters that the stolen cards could not be used to vote.

The political atmosphere in Adamawa has remained charged since Saturday following speculations that the name of the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Suleman Umar aka Omarana has been replaced with that of Modibbo Hamman Tukur Ribadu on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal.

All parties were expected to upload the names of their governorship and state assembly candidates by Saturday, 8th in what would have been the final decision of the parties on the matter but the deadline was later extended to Tuesday, 11th.

Umar’s position became shaky following the exit of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal from the party as he was said to be the one that insisted on Umar as the party’s candidate though former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, had preferred another for the position.

When Babachir left the party, there were indications that the Atiku Abubakar camp may take its pound of flesh by replacing Umar with another aspirant, following the criticism from Babachir after leaving the party.

The former SGF in a statement on his verified social media page yesterday, raised the alarm that, Umar had been replaced with a candidate who will do the bidding of the former vice president.

He claimed the ADC national secretariat has succumbed to the pressure of the former vice president and uploaded the name of the Tukur Modibbo instead to the INEC portal.

When INEC announced that it had pasted cleared candidates and their credentials from various political parties on notice boards across the states, our correspondent checked at the INEC Adamawa State office but couldn’t find list of governorship candidates and was informed it wasn’t ready from INEC headquarters in Abuja.

When our correspondents contacted the Atiku Media Office to respond, they were referred to the national vice chairman (North East) Daniel Bwala to respond.

But Bwala declined comment saying he would issue a statement later.

Our correspondent reports that this has deepened the crisis in the ADC in Adamawa State which is supposed to be one of the strongholds of the party given its position as the home state of the presidential candidate of the party.

The internal wranglings began in the state chapter during the composition of the party’s state executive council members where the party was factionalized with three persons, Comrade Shehu Yohannah, Alh.Saidu Komsori and Ibrahim Sadiq Dasin claiming chairmanship of the party.

Political heavy weights said to be behind those interests included former Vice president Atiku Abubakar, Former SGF David Lawan Babachir and Senator Aisha Ahmed Dahiru popularly known as Binani.

Binani and David Babachir however left the party out of protest at different times.

There have been speculations in the political arena long before now, that some stakeholders in the party are not comfortable with Omarana as the flag bearer of the party and have allegedly working secretly for his replacement until now that the matter has become a major issue within the party.

However, the campaign organisation of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Adamawa State, Amb. Engr. Umar Suleiman, issued a press statement insisting that Umar remains the candidate of the party amidst rumoured adoption of Modibbo Hamman Tukur Ribadu as the new candidate of the party.

The statement came on the heels of social media posts which portrayed Ribadu as the new candidate of the party ostensibly after the NWC resolved issues pertaining to the party’s governorship primaries in his favour.

In a strongly worded position, the campaign office described the narrative as baseless and unfounded, urging party members and supporters to disregard it as it has no basis in law and democracy.

The statement signed by elder Mark Wosi, the DG, Omarana campaign, insisted that the ADC governorship candidate emerged through the party’s recognised primary process and continues to enjoy the confidence of its supporters across Adamawa State.

It warned that attempts to undermine the outcome of the primary could create unnecessary tension within the party and distract the ADC from its preparations for the election.

Wosi also called on the party’s leadership and stakeholders to uphold internal democracy and respect the outcome of the primary, stressing that the credibility of the ADC’s electoral process must remain paramount.

According to the campaign office, Omarana’s political project remains anchored on its catchphrase ‘Adamawa That Works’ agenda, with emphasis on inclusive governance, human capital development, economic empowerment and grassroots development.

It urged supporters not to be distracted by unverified claims, assuring them that the campaign would continue its engagements with voters across the state’s 21 local government areas.

But another piece said to be written by one Aminu Iyawa titled ‘Has ADC Produced A Game-Changer to Adamawa Guber Race?’ claimed that INEC has successfully uploaded the name of Modibbo Hamman Tukur Ribadu and his deputy governorship candidate on its official portal.

Efforts to speak to the leadership of the party were not successful. An official of the party who pleaded anonymity told Daily Trust that the state chapter can’t say anything on the matter but the National headquarters of the party in Abuja maintaining that they too are waiting for further instructions from the national body.

Ambassador Suleiman Umar, when contacted, replied to an SMS message from our correspondent saying ‘As you said speculation for now. By tomorrow (Monday) we will get the facts. l have saved your number. Will contact you. I will make press release’.

Modibbo Hamman Tukur Ribadu was the pioneer chief executive officer of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), appointed by the late President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

Before then, he had worked with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and rose through the ranks up to Assistant Director before he was nominated by president Buhari, and subsequently approved by the Senate, to head the then newly established agency.

National publicity secretary of the ADC, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi also did not respond to our message on the matter.