Category: Daily Trust

Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, has commended the commander of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals, John Onoja Attah, for what she described as his patriotism and leadership in tackling illegal mining across the country.

The minister spoke in Abuja while presenting the Transformational Leadership Award to Onoja on behalf of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) at the maiden edition of the Women in Security Summit and Awards (WINSEC) 2026.

Suleiman-Ibrahim said Onoja’s leadership had strengthened efforts to protect Nigeria’s mineral resources and restore order to the solid minerals sector.

‘Your patriotism is legendary. Your contributions have been sparkling and have provided a huge boost to Nigeria’s mineral sector,’ she said.

The minister recalled witnessing Onoja’s inauguration as the pioneer commander of the Mining Marshals, adding that his performance had justified the confidence reposed in him.

‘I was on the table the day you were inaugurated as commander of the Mining Marshals, and it gladdens my heart that your exploits have been rewarding, encouraging and sparkling. Thank you for bringing sanity to the mining sector,’ she added.

The award recognised Onoja’s contributions to combating illegal mining, protecting Nigeria’s mineral resources and strengthening security within the mining industry.

Receiving the award, Onoja dedicated the honour to Ahmed Audi, Commandant-General of the NSCDC, whom he credited with providing the leadership that led to the establishment of the Mining Marshals.

He described the recognition as a tribute to the commitment and professionalism of officers and men of the specialised unit.

Onoja also announced plans to integrate female NSCDC personnel into the Mining Marshals, saying the initiative aligns with the corps’ commitment to gender inclusion and modern security practices.

According to him, the inclusion of women in the specialised task force would strengthen operational effectiveness while creating more opportunities for female officers to contribute to the protection of Nigeria’s mining sector.

The event attracted the first ladies of Borno, Yobe and Bauchi states, serving and retired security chiefs, government officials and development partners.

Former Inspector-General of police Suleiman Abba was also honoured for his contributions to security, peacebuilding and national development.

Participants at the summit described Onoja’s recognition as evidence of the growing impact of the Mining Marshals in combating illegal mining and safeguarding Nigeria’s mineral resources.

The United Kingdom High Commission and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki held extensive discussions regarding the state of Nigeria’s democracy in Abuja on Thursday.

The High Commission’s delegation was led by Dr. Fortune Aldred, Senior Political Adviser, and Stephen Asek, Political Adviser (Cameroon).

Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, stated that the meeting deliberated on the health of Nigeria’s democracy and the role and relevance of the opposition within the democratic process.

According to Ememobong, the interactive session centered on the ‘current asphyxiation of the opposition, the prolonged state-sponsored leadership crisis in the PDP, the potential candidature of former President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2027 elections, and the general outlook for the 2026 elections.’

In his presentation, Turaki reiterated the party’s position on the ‘need to ensure the survival of multi-party democracy and the opposition, which remain critical pillars of a thriving democratic system.’

He further argued that the current ‘state capture’ disposition of the APC-led Federal Government has directly contributed to heightened political tension, a trend he described as unhealthy for Nigeria’s democracy.

‘The political temperature of the country has risen to fever-pitch levels, traceable majorly to the actions and inactions of the APC-led Federal Government, who are relentlessly provocative in their desire to forcefully capture every part of our country,’ Turaki stated.

Responding on behalf of the delegation, the team leader, Dr. Fortune Aldred, thanked the party leadership for the engagement and assured them that the issues raised would be conveyed through the Commission’s established reporting channels.

Dr. Aldred further noted that while Nigeria is a sovereign nation and its internal politics remain a domestic affair, the Commission has a responsibility to monitor political developments and communicate its observations through established diplomatic avenues.

A Shari’a Court sitting in Sabon Gari, Bola, Kano, has remanded a man and his two sons in a correctional centre over the alleged killing of their neighbour after accusing him of practising witchcraft.

The defendants, Murtala Sale, Abubakar Murtala and Idi Murtala, are standing trial on charges of criminal conspiracy, causing grievous hurt and culpable homicide.

They pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read before the court, presided over by Justice Dr Bello Musa Khalid.

Following their plea, Justice Khalid ordered that the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility and adjourned the case until August 19, 2026, for the commencement of hearing.

According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly attacked and killed Hassan A. Hassan at Kumbo Village in Gabasawa Local Government Area of Kano State after accusing him of practising witchcraft.

The prosecution told the court that investigations into the incident led to the arraignment of the three defendants on charges of criminal conspiracy, causing grievous hurt and culpable homicide.

The case was adjourned until August 19 for hearing.

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have rescued four victims abducted by suspected kidnappers along the Lagos-Benin Expressway.

The victims were rescued by the police in collaboration with members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), local hunters and other sister security agents.

The command spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, in a statement, said the police received information that armed men, numbering about three and dressed in vigilante uniforms, had blocked the Ugbokun axis along the Lagos/Benin Expressway with logs of wood and leaves, attacked motorists and abducted some occupants into the forest.

She said upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer, Okada Division, immediately mobilised a combined team of police operatives including vigilante, local hunters and other security partners to the scene.

According to her, the operatives swiftly embarked on an aggressive bush-combing operation enhanced by drone technology to search and aid the rescue mission.

She said following the sustained pressure mounted on the criminals, they abandoned the captives and fled, leading to the rescue of the victims.

The spokesperson, who gave the names of the victims as, Muritala Babatunde, Bello Aminat, Otor Prince, and Yeiyah Gift, said they had been reunited with reunited with their families.

She disclosed that operations were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.

Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has raised an alarm over a ‘suspicious credit’ into one of his private bank accounts domiciled with one of Nigeria’s leading commercial banks.

The transfer originated from a person totally unknown to His Excellency with the narration ‘Contribution Electioneering Campaign.’ Neither His Excellency nor his campaign solicited, authorised or has any knowledge of the individual or entity behind the unauthorized payment.

Understandably, the circumstances surrounding the transfer are deeply troubling to His Excellency. The account is a strictly private one whose details are not in the public domain. This raises a fundamental question: How did unknown persons obtain the confidential banking details of a private citizen?

If the private banking information of a former Vice President and a leading presidential candidate can be accessed and deployed for reasons yet unknown then no Nigerian’s financial privacy is safe. Even more disturbing is the suspicion that such confidential information may have been obtained through persons with privileged access. If established, this would amount to a grave abuse of power capable of exposing the account holder to kidnappers, terrorists, bandits, fraudsters and other criminal elements.

We therefore put the Nigerian public – and the security agencies – on notice about this latest incident in a litany of suspicious activities leading up to next year’s general elections.

As political activities gather momentum, Nigerians should not be distracted by these tired tactics that smack of character assassination. Such desperate antics have failed before and will fail again. The Waziri Adamawa remains focused on offering Nigerians credible leadership and practical solutions to the nation’s challenges.

A Shari’a Court sitting in Sabon Gari, Bola, Kano, has remanded a man and his two sons in a correctional centre over the alleged killing of their neighbour after accusing him of practising witchcraft.

The defendants, Murtala Sale, Abubakar Murtala and Idi Murtala, are standing trial on charges of criminal conspiracy, causing grievous hurt and culpable homicide.

They pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read before the court, presided over by Justice Dr Bello Musa Khalid.

Following their plea, Justice Khalid ordered that the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility and adjourned the case until August 19, 2026, for the commencement of hearing.

According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly attacked and killed Hassan A. Hassan at Kumbo Village in Gabasawa Local Government Area of Kano State after accusing him of practising witchcraft.

The prosecution told the court that investigations into the incident led to the arraignment of the three defendants on charges of criminal conspiracy, causing grievous hurt and culpable homicide.

The case was adjourned until August 19 for hearing.

An Abuja-based businessman, Ibrahim Garba, has been arraigned before the Chief Magistrates’ Court, Wuse, for alleged criminal defamation of one Shehu Abdullahi, a businessman in the same premises.

Garba, a car dealer, was said to have intentionally and spitefully given the Police false information about a car that was stolen while standing.

The prosecution counsel, Simeon Wujat, informed the court that the complainant, Shehu Abdullahi of the same address, brought the matter to the court on June 24, 2026.

The prosecutor said that on June 17, 2026, the complainant came into his business premises and parked his Honda Civic car in front of his business space.

Wujat said that on that same day at about 8:04 pm the complainant was surprised when he saw a team of well-armed and fiercely looking police officers with a road safety towing van, attempting to tow his car.

The counsel said that upon making a peaceful inquiry, the complainant was told by the team leader of the squad that the defendant had reported to the police that the car was a stolen vehicle.

The prosecutor said that his client was embarrassed and was made to write a statement in respect of his own car, which was maliciously reported and declared by the defendant as a stolen vehicle.

Wujat informed the court that the complainant provided a certified true copy of the said vehicle at the police station on June 17 with the copy of his proof of ownership and registration particulars.

The prosecution told the court that upon careful investigation by the Police, it was found that the defendant intentionally and spitefully gave the Police false information about the car.

According to him, the act inevitably distracted, maligned and defamed the complainant’s good reputation, within and outside his business.

He alleged that the defendant’s malicious and false information, which he gave to the Police against the complainant and his car, had portrayed him as a car thief.

Wujat explained that the act also portrayed his client as a criminal, thereby tarnishing his unassailable good reputation and goodwill.

The prosecutor said the offence was contrary to sections 391 and punishable under section 392 of the Penal Code Act 9060.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

The defendant’s counsel, Hamza Dantani, applied for bail for the defendant, citing sections 158 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), saying bail is at the discretion of the court.

Ruling on the application of the defendant, Magistrate Faridah Ibrahim granted the defendant bail in the sum of N3 million, in like sum with a surety.

She ordered that the surety, in couple with that to the defendant, submit his call to bar certificate and an undertaking to provide the defendant whenever he is needed in court.

She also said that the counsel to the defendant will be made to face the disciplinary committee should he fail to produce the defendant and adjourned the matter to August 10th, 2026.

The Allied People’s Movement (APM) has condemned the Presidency’s attack on the Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, over his comments on the country’s prevailing economic situation under the present administration.

Abubakar Yusuf, National Publicity Secretary of the party, noted that the resort to personal attacks against citizens for speaking out on the suffering of Nigerians clearly demonstrates the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration’s disdain for the public.

‘It further confirms that the administration is unwilling to listen to the voice of reason or take decisive steps to address the challenges facing our nation.

‘The APM is particularly concerned by the coordinated attacks against the globally respected Cardinal Onaiyekan, whose remarks were made in the public interest and reflect the harsh realities confronting millions of Nigerians under the Tinubu-led APC government.’

APM said that, as leaders who interact daily with citizens across communities, religious leaders serve as credible voices that any administration with the interests of Nigerians at heart should respect and value. ‘Their observations deserve careful attention, not hostility.

‘Faith-based leaders do not speak in isolation; they listen to citizens, counsel families, support vulnerable communities, and understand the realities facing the people. Their interventions should be received in good faith and considered valuable feedback for the government.

‘It is therefore unfortunate and highly vexatious that rather than addressing the legitimate concerns of worsening insecurity and biting economic hardship raised by religious leaders, the APC-led Federal Government chose instead to attack and ridicule them for drawing attention to the plight of Nigerians.’

The opposition party said such a response reflects an alarming level of intolerance, arrogance, and disregard for democratic principles such as free speech, dialogue, and accountability-all of which must be condemned by all.

According to the party, ‘democracy thrives when leaders listen to the people, respect opposing views, and respond to genuine concerns with humility. Resorting to personal attacks against Nigerians, including respected religious leaders, only deepens public distrust and diverts attention from the urgent task of addressing the economic difficulties confronting the nation.’

APM maintained that President Tinubu cannot dismiss legitimate concerns by merely pointing to inherited problems. ‘Nigerians want solutions, not excuses. Since President Tinubu has demonstrated through his reliance on excuses that he has no solutions, he should withdraw from the presidential race and allow younger hands with workable solutions to manage the affairs of our nation.

‘What Nigerians expect now is for President Tinubu to apologise to the nation for these unwarranted attacks directed at respected faith-based leaders for voicing the concerns of the people.’ the party said.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested two suspects for allegedly exhuming a freshly buried corpse from a cemetery and stealing its casket.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, said one of the suspects, Elijah Matthew Edet, the manager of Mbiokporo Cemetery in Uyo, confessed to conniving with grave diggers to steal the casket, describing it as his first involvement in such a crime.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Uyo, John said Edet and two others unlawfully exhumed a freshly buried corpse at night, removed the body from the casket and stole the casket with the intention of reselling it.

She explained that an eyewitness who noticed the suspicious activity alerted the police after observing two men transporting a casket on an unregistered motorcycle late at night.

According to her, the empty casket and the unregistered motorcycle have been recovered, while efforts are ongoing to arrest another suspect who fled the scene.

‘On August 3, 2026, at about 11:30pm, the command received a distress call from a vigilant member of the public who reported suspicious activities at the cemetery after observing two men transporting a casket on an unregistered motorcycle under the cover of darkness.

‘Acting on the suspicion, the complainant confronted the suspects to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the movement of the casket at such an unusual hour.

‘In an attempt to evade arrest, one of the suspects, identified as Effiong Asuquo, fled the scene, while his accomplice, Nsikak Effiong, was apprehended and immediately handed over to the police.

‘During interrogation, Nsikak Effiong confessed that he and his accomplice had unlawfully exhumed a freshly buried corpse, removed the corpse from the casket and stole the casket with the intention of selling it for financial gain.

‘Further investigation yielded another major breakthrough on August 5, 2026, at about 5pm, with the arrest of Elijah Matthew Edet, the manager of Mbiokporo Cemetery,’ the statement read.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat has signed a 20-year concession agreement with Bergmans Security Consultant and Supplies Limited to digitise customs operations across Africa, targeted at boosting intra-African trade.

The agreement, executed between AfCFTA Holdings Limited, the AfCFTA Secretariat, and AfriTrade CMP Limited, a subsidiary of Bergmans Security Consultant and Supplies Limited covers the AfCFTA Customs Modernisation Project, which will see the deployment of digital technology to customs administrations across African countries.

The $3.1 billion concession agreement is aimed at accelerating intra-African trade, reducing border bottlenecks and improving revenue collection and comes weeks after both parties entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on transforming customs operations across Africa.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, held in Abuja on Wednesday night, the chairman of Bergmans Security Consultant and Supplies Limited, Alhaji Saleh Ahmadu, said the agreement would drive customs operations across Africa toward advanced technological development.

He described the deal as the fruition of years of work, and said it would help simplify trade across the continent.

He said Bergmans, the partnership reflected a shared commitment to secure, efficient and scalable trade infrastructure. He commended the AfCFTA Secretariat for aligning with the vision of advancing Africa’s economic integration agenda.

Ahmadu said Bergmans’ role would be to provide financing and technical expertise, working with stakeholders around the world, and pledged the company’s commitment to working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and customs administrations across the continent to enhance trade facilitation, open up investment opportunities and build capacity for sustainable growth. He said the company was committed to replicating the success it had recorded in Nigeria across the rest of the continent.

Also in his remarks, the secretary-general of the AfCFTA Secretariat, His Excellency Wamkele Mene, described the agreement as a transformative tool for customs modernisation on the continent.

He said he was introduced to Ahmadu by the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, and was impressed by the modernisation and digitisation achievements recorded in Nigeria’s customs system.

Mene said the AfCFTA Secretariat had a shared ambition with Bergmans to position African customs systems to be digital, transparent, accountable and supportive of the continent’s economic growth. He said the Secretariat specifically chose Bergmans because it was an African company capable of deploying digital technology for the continent’s advancement, noting that several non-African companies had approached the Secretariat to offer similar services but were turned down in favour of an African firm.

Responding to questions from journalists, Ahmadu said the technology to be deployed under the agreement had already proven successful in Nigeria, where it had increased revenue, removed bottlenecks in trade transactions and reduced clearance times. He said the same model was now being extended to the rest of the continent.