Category: PM News

A wave of violence has devastated Tsamaye community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, where heavily armed bandits killed scores of residents, abducted dozens and forced thousands to flee, while a desperate attempt to escape by river ended in another tragedy after overloaded boats capsized.

Residents said at least 21 people are feared dead, 37 others were abducted, and 18 people remain missing after the boats overturned, raising fears that the death toll could climb further.

The attack, which began around 9 p.m. on Monday and lasted until after 3 a.m. on Tuesday, left the once-bustling community deserted as terrified residents fled for safety.

Witnesses said the gunmen moved from house to house, setting two homes ablaze, rustling livestock and forcing villagers to identify wealthy residents and livestock owners.

As panic spread, many families attempted to cross a nearby river to escape. However, the overloaded boats capsized, throwing about 25 people, mostly women and children, into the water. Seven survivors were rescued, but 18 others remain unaccounted for and are feared drowned.

A resident told Daily Trust that bandits answered calls made to the phones of missing villagers, claiming they had 37 captives in their custody.

According to residents, many of those abducted had been sleeping on farms and in surrounding bushes to avoid previous attacks, only for the gunmen to track them down.

‘Because of frequent attacks, people no longer sleep in their homes,’ one resident said. ‘The bandits searched the farms, woke people up and marched them away. I saw three babies left behind after their mothers were taken.’

Residents accused security forces of failing to respond despite receiving distress calls before the attackers withdrew.

‘We informed them early enough, but no reinforcement came,’ another resident lamented.

A local vigilante, who requested anonymity, said the security personnel stationed in the area admitted they lacked the equipment needed to confront the attackers.

‘We also contacted our traditional ruler, but there was little he could do. When the gunfire intensified, we had no option but to hide,’ he said.

He appealed to the government to deploy Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), saying the difficult terrain makes rapid security intervention almost impossible without specialised equipment.

According to him, fewer than 20 people remain in Tsamaye, while more than 100 vehicles have evacuated displaced families since the attack.

The two houses destroyed belonged to Lawwali Ta’u Mai Chaji and Hassan Hasken Halara, a vigilante member who was reportedly away defending the community when his home was torched.

Confirmed fatalities include Kabiru Mallam Tanimu, Ayuba Mallam Hashim and Yakubu Mu’azu, while several others remain missing.

The violence has also emptied several neighbouring communities, including Borai, Tsululu, Garin Tudu, Bukka Hamsin, Turkawa, Rumbukawa, Dutsin Na Umma, Zangon Mu’azu and Arawa, as residents fled in fear of further attacks.

Displaced families have appealed to the Federal Government and Sokoto State Government to strengthen security in the area and provide the equipment needed to halt the escalating violence.

Sabon Birni Local Government Chairman Ayuba Hashimu confirmed the attack but said authorities were still verifying casualty figures.

Meanwhile, Sokoto State Police Command spokesman DSP Ahmad Rufai said additional security personnel had been deployed to restore calm and prevent further attacks.

The Coalition of Ilaje Ravaged Communities, with advocacy support from the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) will on Thursday, hold a peaceful protest to draw attention to the worsening environmental and humanitarian crisis threatening coastal communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The protest, tagged ‘Operation Save Ilaje: Protect Our Coastal Communities from Extinction,’ will bring together affected residents and members of no fewer than 20 communities, including Ayetoro, Awoye, Mese, Gbagira, Jiringho, Ilowo, Ilepete, Idiogba, Oroto, Alagbon, Erunona, Olotu, Yaye, Womitenren, Ogboti, Lepe, Ehinmore, Abetobo, and Abereke to demand urgent and concrete action from the Federal and Ondo State Governments to address the devastating impacts of ocean surges, coastal erosion, oil spills and environmental degradation in the region.

The event will hold at the Ilaje Local Government Headquarters, Igbokoda, Ondo State

For decades, communities along the Ilaje coastline have watched their homes, farmlands, fishing grounds and other sources of livelihood disappear under the combined pressures of rising seas, coastal erosion and pollution. The situation has become particularly critical in communities including Ayetoro and Abereke, where residents are increasingly confronted with displacement and the loss of their ancestral homes.

The communities are demanding, among other measures: Urgent and effective intervention to halt further coastal erosion and sea incursions; Construction of scientifically designed and fit-for-purpose coastal protection infrastructure; Comprehensive environmental assessments and clean-up of oil-polluted areas; Accountability and remediation by companies responsible for environmental damage; Adequate compensation and livelihood restoration for affected residents; Immediate action to protect fishing grounds, aquatic ecosystems and other community livelihoods; and Greater transparency and community participation in all government interventions affecting the Ilaje coastline.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a sweeping salary increase for members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, raising pay by between 30 and 80 per cent in what is one of the most significant welfare packages for military personnel in recent years.

The new salary structure, which takes effect from September 1, 2026, will benefit about 250,000 officers and men across the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Under the approved package, senior officers above the rank of colonel, including Brigadier-Generals, Major-Generals, Lieutenant-Generals and Generals, will receive a 30 per cent salary increase.

Officers from the rank of Colonel to Warrant Officer will enjoy a 50 per cent increase, while personnel from Private to Staff Sergeant, the category comprising most junior enlisted personnel, will receive the highest adjustment of 80 per cent.

The pay review will raise the Federal Government’s annual wage bill for the Armed Forces from ?660 billion to ?924 billion, underscoring the administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of military personnel.

Announcing the approval, the Presidency said the salary increase reflects President Tinubu’s recognition of the sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces in confronting terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats across the country.

‘The men and women who help to keep us safe in our homes must be supported and appreciated in the course of their duties to our nation,’ the President said.

Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s determination to strengthen troop welfare alongside ongoing efforts to modernise the Armed Forces through the acquisition of advanced weapons systems and cutting-edge technology.

According to him, national security remains the foundation for economic growth and sustainable development.

‘Our administration will continue to prioritise troop welfare and modernise the armed forces by providing the weapons and technological tools needed to discharge their duties,’ he stated.

The President stressed that no nation could attain greatness without a secure environment, pledging to continue deploying all available military and law enforcement resources to combat insecurity and safeguard lives and property nationwide.

He also urged military personnel to see the salary review as a demonstration of the government’s appreciation for their patriotism, courage and dedication to national service.

‘I urge our servicemen to take our gesture as a sign of our deep appreciation of the services they render to our fatherland. Together we shall prevail over the enemies intent on destroying the fabric of our nation,’ Tinubu said.

The salary increase comes as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to boost troop morale and enhance the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces in the ongoing fight against insecurity across Nigeria.

The candidate’s information for Edo South Senatorial District recently uploaded on the portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has heightened tension and confusion in the State chapter of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

According to information on the INEC portal, the photograph of Sunny Aguebor was uploaded as the NDC candidate for Edo South Senatorial District, while the name and particulars of another aspirant, Epelle-Asemota Brigiditte Osayuki, appeared alongside Aguebor’s photograph.

The conflicting information has resulted in both aspirants being associated with the party’s senatorial ticket, raising questions over who is the authentic NDC candidate for the Edo South contest.

Aguebor, however, insisted that he remained the ‘only authentic candidate’ of the party for the Edo South senatorial election.

He described the discrepancy as ‘an anomaly’, blaming what he called possible mischief or an error in the uploading of the candidate’s information.

‘The party’s position on its candidate is clear. The appearance of another aspirant’s name and particulars alongside my photograph on the INEC portal does not alter my status as the party’s candidate,’ Aguebor said.

But Asemota, whose name and particulars appeared on the document uploaded on the electoral commission’s portal, declined to comment extensively on the controversy.

‘I am not really disposed to making comments on it now because the party is handling it and INEC is handling it as well. I will leave it at that,’ Asemota stated.

The confusion has heightened tension within the NDC in Edo South, as party stakeholders await clarification from both the party leadership and INEC on who will be recognized as the authentic candidate for the election.

A Lagos bureau de change (BDC) operator, Dabo Malam Ardi, has been sentenced to two months imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to allegation of engaging in illegal foreign exchange transactions.

Ardi was convicted by Justice F. N. Ogazi of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday, August 4, 2026

He was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a one-count charge bordering on an illegal foreign exchange transaction.

The charge reads: ‘That you, Dabo Malam Ardi, sometime in 2026 in Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, engaged in a foreign exchange transaction other than through the official foreign exchange market and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 11(1)(a) of the National Economic Intelligence Committee (Establishment, etc.) Act, 1994, and punishable under Section 11(2) of the same Act.’

The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

Following his guilty plea, prosecution counsel, S. I. Suleiman reviewed the facts of the case and urged the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.

Justice Ogazi found Ardi guilty and sentenced him to two months imprisonment, with an option of a fine of ?80,000( Eighty Thousand Naira only).

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not in a position to win the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Wike said the party’s current focus is on winning governorship and other state level elections while rebuilding its structure for a stronger challenge in the 2031 presidential election.

According to him, the PDP needs more time to resolve its internal problems before it can successfully contest for the country’s highest office.

Wike said the party must be realistic about its chances instead of pretending it can immediately return to power.

He explained that the PDP is working to strengthen itself across the states and prepare properly for the future.

‘The PDP cannot win the presidential election now. What we are doing is trying to win some sub national positions and reorganise the party ahead of 2031,’ he said.

He added that becoming Nigeria’s president requires careful planning and a united political platform, not just declaring interest a few months before an election.

Wike stressed that with the party still facing internal challenges, it would be difficult to mount a successful presidential campaign in 2027.

He maintained that the PDP should focus on rebuilding itself before aiming to return to power at the national level.

The Lagos State Government has announced a temporary traffic diversion around Anthony Village Bus Stop to facilitate reconstruction works aimed at providing a permanent solution to persistent road damage caused by heavy rainfall.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Transportation, the government said excavation work has commenced on the affected section, which will be rebuilt using interlocking paving stones to enhance durability and improve resilience against flooding.

The ministry explained that the intervention is designed to address the recurring deterioration of the road, which has repeatedly disrupted traffic flow and posed challenges to motorists, particularly during the rainy season.

To ensure the project is carried out safely and efficiently, the government has introduced a temporary traffic management plan affecting motorists travelling through the Anthony Village corridor.

Under the diversion arrangement, motorists travelling from Fadeyi and intending to access the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway through Anthony Village will not be able to use the route during the construction period.

Similarly, drivers planning to use the Anthony Village Bus Stop service lane to connect Oshodi have been advised to avoid the route and remain on the expressway before connecting through alternative access points further ahead.

The ministry also stated that motorists travelling from Oshodi towards Anthony-Ikorodu Road through Anthony Village should note that there will be no through passage at the construction site until the project is completed.

The Lagos State Government urged motorists to plan their journeys in advance, avoid the affected corridor where possible and make use of alternative routes to minimise travel delays and ease traffic congestion around the project area.

The ministry appealed for the patience and cooperation of residents and road users, assuring them that the temporary inconvenience would ultimately result in improved road infrastructure and smoother traffic movement.

According to the statement, reconstructing the damaged section with interlocking stones is expected to provide a more sustainable solution capable of withstanding the impact of heavy rainfall and reducing the need for frequent repairs.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to improving road infrastructure across the state and called on motorists to comply with traffic management directives throughout the construction period to ensure the safety of workers and road users alike.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has urged regulators in Nigeria’s electricity industry to deepen cooperation as the country’s power sector undergoes major reforms driven by the Electricity Act 2023.

The commission said stronger coordination between federal and state regulatory bodies was essential to guarantee consistent consumer protection and create a stable regulatory environment for investors and operators.

Speaking at a stakeholder engagement on consumer protection and regulatory cooperation in Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Mr Tunji Bello, said the Electricity Act had transformed the industry by allowing states to establish electricity regulatory commissions and supervise electricity markets within their jurisdictions.

He explained that the changing structure of the sector made collaboration between the FCCPC, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) and State Electricity Regulatory Commissions increasingly important.

According to Bello, the various agencies have different legal responsibilities but share a common objective of ensuring that electricity consumers are adequately protected.

‘Sector regulators bring deep technical expertise, while the FCCPC provides economy-wide experience in consumer protection and competition.

‘Our objective is to consult, exchange information, support one another’s lawful actions and ensure consumers receive timely and effective protection. That is the hallmark of mature regulatory governance.’

Bello added that protecting consumers should not be limited to resolving disputes after they occur but should also involve preventing problems, detecting risks early and maintaining public confidence in the electricity market.

He pointed to the FCCPC’s intervention in 2024 over plans to replace obsolete Unistar prepaid meters as a practical example of successful regulatory cooperation. Following concerns that customers might be forced to pay for replacement meters or suffer estimated billing and supply interruptions, the commission brought together NERC, NEMSA and electricity distribution companies to address the issue.

According to him, the commission’s action complemented NERC’s statutory role and strengthened the existing regulatory framework instead of creating overlapping responsibilities.

Also addressing participants, NERC’s Assistant Director and Head of Consumer Protection, Anthony Essien, said the emergence of federal, state and regional electricity markets had made regulatory alignment more important than ever.

He warned that although decentralised regulation would bring oversight closer to electricity consumers, varying standards across different states could discourage investment and create uncertainty for market participants.

Essien said adopting harmonised regulatory practices would improve consumer protection, encourage coordinated supervision across jurisdictions and provide greater certainty for businesses operating in the country’s expanding electricity market.

Executive Commissioner of the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC), Dr Nnaemeka Ewelukwa, also said state regulators would make it easier for consumers to engage with regulatory authorities while strengthening relationships between investors and state governments.

The Federal Government has directed all heads of tertiary institutions across Nigeria to immediately dismiss any student found guilty of kidnapping or related crimes, following proper investigation.

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, gave the directive during a meeting with the Pro-Chancellor, Governing Council, and management of the Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, held at his office in Abuja.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, Alausa also ordered Vice-Chancellors, Rectors, and Provosts to reinforce internal intelligence systems and work more closely with the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies in their respective states.

‘If you tolerate bad behaviour for too long, it becomes a culture,’ Alausa warned, adding that ‘Any student found culpable, after due investigation, of planning or participating in the kidnapping of fellow students has no place in our tertiary institutions. Such individuals must be dismissed. Our campuses must never become safe havens for criminal elements. Government has a duty to protect innocent citizens and preserve our institutions as centres of learning and excellence.’

While noting that Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education remain largely safe, Alausa said recent isolated incidents-some involving students operating off-campus, showed the urgent need for sharper intelligence gathering and better coordination with security operatives.

‘We have a collective responsibility to protect every Nigerian child, from primary school to tertiary education,’ he stated.

‘While our campuses remain safe, we must continue to strengthen intelligence gathering and work closely with our security agencies to ensure that students are protected both within and outside our institutions.’

Alausa disclosed that he recently held detailed talks with the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Retired), to design a unified plan to boost the Safe Schools Initiative and improve protection for learners nationwide.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for providing the leadership, backing, and resources needed to strengthen security while pushing forward critical reforms in the education sector. Alausa restated the administration’s pledge to ensure every Nigerian child gets quality education in a secure, suitable environment.

Reaffirming President Tinubu’s standing order that no government body should negotiate with or pay ransom to kidnappers, Alausa said yielding to such demands only strengthens criminals and weakens national efforts to end insecurity.

He therefore directed Governing Councils and heads of institutions to set up reliable internal intelligence structures, maintain steady liaison with the DSS and security agencies, and take firm action against anyone who threatens student safety.

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has warned that the proposed state police system could be abused for political purposes ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sowore raised the concern on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, saying the timing of the proposed reform was wrong given that the country was approaching an election year.

The activist and publisher argued that introducing state police months before a major election could create opportunities for political interference and undermine the credibility of the electoral process.

‘I would say that we wait until the elections are over. The election is a major distraction at this time – the election is months away, and everybody is going to be more interested in how to campaign, how to choose their candidates, and how to ensure the elections are free and fair,’ Sowore said.

He said state policing was a major constitutional and structural change that required extensive public debate rather than a rushed process.

‘To now insert state policing, a very major constitutional change of fundamental federal structural change that could lead to structural damage or that could lead to interference with the election, is not the best time,’ he added.

Sowore’s position comes as the Federal Government intensifies efforts towards establishing a new policing framework, with President Bola Tinubu supporting moves to accelerate the process.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, had earlier disclosed that the draft national policing bill was expected to be presented to Tinubu for approval as part of ongoing reforms.

Sowore, however, argued that Nigerians had not been given enough opportunity to debate the proposed system and make contributions before decisions were reached.

He said rushing the process could create problems, especially because of concerns over how state governors might use the powers that come with controlling local security structures.

The AAC presidential candidate questioned whether governors could be trusted with such authority, warning that state police could become a tool in the hands of powerful politicians during elections.

‘Nigerian state governors are not trustworthy to be handed security personnel of this scale,’ Sowore said.

He added that Nigeria must avoid a situation where state police could be controlled by political actors during the electoral period.

Calls for state police have increased in recent times amid worsening insecurity across parts of the country, with supporters arguing that state-controlled security outfits would improve response to local threats.