Category: PM News

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 29-year-old man suspected of involvement in armed robbery during a routine patrol in the Igando area, recovering a locally made firearm and charms believed to be linked to criminal activity.

The command’s spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed the development in a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday.

According to her, officers on patrol became suspicious after spotting three men riding on a motorcycle in a manner that raised concern.

On noticing the approaching patrol team, the trio reportedly attempted to escape. While two of the suspects managed to flee, one was captured by the officers, leaving behind the motorcycle used in the failed getaway.

A search conducted after the arrest led to the recovery of a locally fabricated pistol as well as assorted charms.

Adebisi said the arrested suspect remains in police custody, while efforts are being intensified to track down and arrest the two fleeing accomplices.

She added that detectives have commenced investigations to determine the full circumstances surrounding the case and the suspect’s alleged criminal activities.

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Fatai Tijani, praised the officers involved in the operation for what he described as their alertness and professionalism.

He reiterated the command’s resolve to combat violent crime across the state and appealed to members of the public to continue supporting the police with useful intelligence.

Tijani urged residents to ‘continue provide timely and credible information to assist the police in preventing crime and apprehending criminal elements.’

He also encouraged the public to promptly report suspicious movements or activities through the command’s emergency lines to ensure swift police intervention.

The emergency numbers are: 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870, 08080193432 (Marine), and 09168630929.

Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji, a distinguished elder statesman and Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance, has passed away. His death was announced officially by his family on Thursday.

The former minister served as the Minister of Finance from 1990 to 1991 under the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida.

He was also the Minister of State for Budget and Planning in 1988, and later served as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

The late elder statesman was known for being a thoroughbred administrator. His career spanned several high-profile positions across the public civil service.

The Nigeria Customs Service has begun enforcing the Federal Government’s 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures and Tariff Amendments following approval by President Bola Tinubu, marking a significant shift in Nigeria’s trade and revenue framework.

Announcing the development in Abuja on Wednesday, the Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, said the revised measures are intended to improve the country’s economic competitiveness, strengthen revenue generation and bring Nigeria’s tariff structure in line with regional and international commitments.

He explained that the policy changes would also enhance the administration of fiscal regulations while encouraging lawful trade across the country.

The implementation follows recent remarks by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, during the defence of the Service’s 2026 budget proposal before the National Assembly. Adeniyi had stated that the updated import duty structure formed part of the Federal Government’s wider fiscal agenda for 2026 and would help stimulate economic growth.

Maiwada said the latest amendments were designed to encourage local industrial expansion, simplify legitimate trade activities and improve the management of customs and fiscal policies.

‘The approved amendments include the Revised Import Adjustment Tax List for the implementation of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (2022-2027),’ he said.

He disclosed that the package also comprises the Revised National List under the ECOWAS Common External Tariff framework, the Revised Import Prohibition List (Trade), the Revised List of Goods Liable to Excise Duty, the Green Tax Surcharge on vehicles above 2000cc and the Revised Export Prohibition List.

The Customs spokesman urged importers, exporters, manufacturers, licensed customs agents and other stakeholders to study the revised schedules carefully and comply fully with all applicable fiscal and regulatory requirements.

‘To facilitate seamless implementation and promote transparency, the service has made the complete 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures and Tariff Amendments available for download,’ he said.

According to him, the documents can be obtained from the Nigeria Customs Service’s official website, where stakeholders are encouraged to acquaint themselves with the new provisions to ensure smooth compliance.

Reaffirming the agency’s commitment, Maiwada said:

‘The service remains committed to supporting government policies while fulfilling its mandate of trade facilitation, revenue collection and border security.’

He added that effective implementation of the reforms would depend on active collaboration between the Service and stakeholders, describing such cooperation as essential to building a more competitive, transparent and sustainable economy.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has criticised the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, for giving priority to the construction of new roads while many existing federal highways across the country remain in a poor and dangerous condition.

Speaking during plenary at the Senate on Wednesday, Oshiomhole said the Federal Government should first focus on rehabilitating major roads that have become difficult for motorists to use before embarking on fresh road projects.

The former Edo State governor expressed concern over the state of federal roads linking Edo State with neighbouring Delta State and other parts of the country.

According to him, several of these highways have been neglected for years despite repeated appeals by lawmakers and residents.

Oshiomhole argued that the recent approval of about 20 new road projects by the Federal Government raises questions when many existing roads that serve thousands of commuters daily have not been repaired.

He specifically mentioned the roads connecting Benin to Warri, Asaba, Auchi and Okene, describing them as being in a deplorable condition.

He said the poor state of the highways has continued to affect the movement of people, goods and services, while also increasing travel time and transportation costs.

The senator alleged that the Minister of Works has not been fair in the allocation of road projects, claiming that some parts of the country have received more attention than others.

He urged the Senate leadership to intervene and encourage the minister to ensure that road projects are distributed fairly across the country.

According to Oshiomhole, the Senate had previously drawn the minister’s attention to the condition of the affected roads through a motion, but little has been done to address the problem.

He said part of the road project is only receiving attention because President Bola Tinubu approved the use of the tax credit scheme to fund the rehabilitation of some sections.

Oshiomhole maintained that federal infrastructure projects should reflect national interest rather than favouring certain areas. He stressed that every region deserves equal access to quality roads because they are essential for economic growth, trade, security and the daily movement of citizens.

He called on the Minister of Works to adopt a more balanced and inclusive approach in planning and implementing road projects, insisting that repairing existing highways should be treated as a priority alongside the construction of new ones.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 3,867,997 Nigerians successfully completed the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by the end of Phase III, Week Eleven, which ended on July 26, 2026.

The commission said more than 10.18 million people have completed the registration process across the three phases of the exercise.

Phase I recorded 2,572,054 registrations, while Phase II added 3,748,704. When combined with the 3,867,997 registered in Phase III, the total stands at 10,188,755.

Nigeria currently has more than 93 million registered voters. INEC said it will carry out a de-duplication process on the over 10 million new registrations to remove duplicate entries before updating the National Register of Voters.

According to figures released by the commission, 2,697,863 people completed their registration at physical centres, while 1,170,134 registered online after meeting the required conditions.

This means nearly 70 per cent of the registrations were completed through physical registration centres, making them the preferred option for most Nigerians.

A breakdown by states shows that Kano State recorded the highest number of completed registrations with 330,906, representing 8.55 per cent of the national total. Lagos followed with 181,254, while Delta recorded 166,895.

Other states with high registration figures include Edo (156,150), Ebonyi (146,507), Sokoto (145,160), Taraba (141,649), Ogun (136,921), Bauchi (128,753), Jigawa (125,155) and Oyo (125,144).

At the lower end, Ekiti State recorded 2,276 completed registrations, Ondo had 23,824, Plateau recorded 41,993, while the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had 56,285.

INEC explained that Osun State recorded no registrations during the period because the Continuous Voter Registration exercise was suspended ahead of the state’s governorship election, in line with Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022.

The commission said the figures cover both online and physical registrations nationwide as it continues efforts to expand voter participation ahead of future elections.

The Police Command in Ondo State has arrested three suspected drug dealers during a routine patrol operation in Akure, the state capital.

DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the command’s Spokesperson, made the disclosure in a statement on Thursday in Akure, saying the arrest was part of the command’s ongoing campaign against illicit drug trafficking and other crimes.

Jimoh explained that the operation was carried out by operatives of the command’s anti-cultism squad.

‘This forms part of sustained efforts to dismantle criminal networks whose activities are often linked to cultism, armed robbery, violent crimes and other threats to public safety. On July 24 at about 2:00 p.m., while on a strategic confidence-building patrol within Akure metropolis, operatives intercepted and arrested three suspects. The suspects identified as Fisayo Adedamola (Female), Adeola Oluwaseun (Male), and Adeogun Olumide (Male), were allegedly involved in the distribution and sale of illicit drugs.

‘A thorough search conducted during the operation led to the recovery of various substances and pharmaceutical products suspected to be illicit or abused drugs. Items recovered include quantities of substances suspected to be cannabis, Tramadol capsules, Codeine syrup and Tutolin syrup,’ he said.

The police spokesperson said the suspects were immediately taken into custody, while the recovered exhibits have been secured as evidence.

He, therefore, said preliminary investigations were ongoing to determine the source of the drugs, identify possible accomplices and uncover any criminal network connected to their activities.

Jimoh, however, said the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

‘The Commissioner of Police in the state, Felix Ohagwu, has urged parents, guardians, community leaders and members of the public to remain vigilant and support the police by providing timely and credible information. Your information will aid the identification and arrest of persons involved in drug trafficking and other criminal activities. The command assures residents that it remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring a safe and secure environment through proactive policing and intelligence-led operations and sustained collaboration with the public. Criminal elements are hereby warned to desist from all unlawful activities or face the full weight of the law,’ he said.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged President Bola Tinubu to concentrate on tackling Nigeria’s worsening economic hardship and insecurity instead of engaging in political battles with his opponents.

Atiku, who is the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, made the remarks while responding to President Tinubu’s recent comments suggesting that opposition politicians were ‘crying wolf’ because they feared the 2027 general election.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that the President’s greatest challenge was not the opposition but the performance of his administration.

He maintained that millions of Nigerians were more concerned about soaring food prices, inflation, unemployment and persistent insecurity than political rhetoric.

According to Atiku, rather than directing his attention towards political rivals, the President should focus on easing the burden on citizens grappling with the rising cost of living and improving security across the country. He said those issues, not political contests, should occupy the government’s attention.

The former vice president also criticised what he described as combative language from the President during an engagement with leaders of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, saying the occasion called for reassurance and statesmanship.

Atiku said Nigerians expected practical solutions to the country’s pressing challenges, insisting that improving the economy and restoring security should take precedence over political exchanges.

The latest remarks add to the growing war of words between the Presidency and opposition figures as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election gather momentum.

Candidates of political parties contesting in the August 15, 2026 Osun governorship election on Thursday in Osogbo signed a peace pact to ensure that Osun experiences a peaceful, free and fair poll as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, asked troublemakers to stay away.

The peace accord meeting was organised by the Hassan Kuka led peace advocating organisation in conjunction with INEC to ensure a peaceful election in Osun.

The political parties participating in the election and their candidates at the important meeting pledged to maintain peace conduct and signed the peace agreement.

At the event, INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, declared that since the Biometric verification via the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) remains the sole statutory mechanism for accreditation, there would be no manual accreditation.

Regarding the security incidents in Okuku (Odo-Otin LGA) and Ife Central involving the theft of uncollected PVCs, Amupitan reassured the public that stolen PVCs are functionally inert.

‘Without live biometric verification on the BVAS, a stolen card cannot accredit anyone. Serial numbers of all stolen cards may be blacklisted, law enforcement is closing in on the perpetrators, and affected voters are being issued replacement cards or authorised digital verification PVC download,’ the Chairman said.

He also informed that a total of 4,427 BVAS devices-including a 15% operational reserve (664 backup units) managed by RACTECH teams-have been customized for Osun State and that all polling unit result sheets (Form EC8A) would be scanned and uploaded directly to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) as soon as voting closes.

He said that the Commission was deeply concerned by several reports of violence and threats. ‘We recognise that insecurity is a direct assault on the sanctity of the ballot, and it is a menace we are determined to overcome. As Chairman, it weighs heavily on me that the environment for this election must be one of peace, not intimidation. Let me be clear: we will not allow the democratic will of the people to be subverted by fear or force.

‘Consequently, INEC has recalibrated its security strategy, moving from reactive monitoring to proactive prevention. To combat this menace, we have activated a robust security synergy through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

‘We are not just monitoring threats; we are proactively deploying intelligence-led security measures to every polling unit and collation center. We are working closely with the Police and the Armed Forces to ensure that our staff, our materials, and most importantly, every single voter, are shielded from harm. We will meet any attempt to disrupt this election with the full, unyielding weight of the law,’ Amupitan vowed.

Non state actors operating along Kogi and Kwara States have been strongly warned to either change from their criminal lifestyle or face the wrath of the law as the zone would no longer condone their nefarious activities.

Assistant Inspector General, AIG, of Police Betty Isopkan Otimeyin gave the warning in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, on Thursday, 30 July, when she resumed duty as head of the Zone 8 Police Command, comprising of the two states.

In her maiden engagement as the 34th and first female AIG of the command, Otimeyin promised to build on the achievements of her predecessors while deliberately keeping an open-door policy in securing the zone. She called on members of the public to cooperate with the security agencies in keeping society free from crime.

She charged officers and men under her command to embrace discipline, diligence, and dedication to duty, stressing that only a highly professional and motivated police workforce can effectively secure lives and property across the two states.

The new Zonal Commander pledged to re-strategize security operations in line with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, with greater emphasis on community-based policing, intelligence-driven operations.

Otimeyin, an education graduate of the old Bendel State University, Abraka Campus, has held many command positions in the police spanning administration and operation. Among other positions, she served as Commissioner of Police in Edo, Rivers, and Taraba States. She vowed to make her new command uncomfortable to bandits, kidnappers, fraudsters, and other criminals.

The Nigerian Navy has rescued two teenagers, both male, from drowning after their boat capsised in Egweama Community, Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

This is contained in a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

According to Folorunsho, the rescue was made by personnel of Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO.

He said that the incident occurred when the two boys, both aged 16, encountered difficulties while returning from a routine trip within the community waterways after their wooden boat capsised due to adverse water conditions on Tuesday.

‘The teenagers were stranded and at risk of drowning. On sighting the distressed victims, personnel of FOB FORMOSO responded swiftly and successfully rescued the two teenagers, evacuating them to safety. The rescued boys were thereafter provided with the necessary assistance and medical attention to ascertain their condition,’ he said.

The director of naval information said that the successful rescue reflected the professionalism and operational readiness of navy personnel in safeguarding lives within the nation’s maritime environment.

He said it also underscored the navy’s enduring commitment to maritime safety, search and rescue operations, as well as protection of lives in coastal and riverine communities.

‘Additionally, it highlights the service’s continued efforts to foster strong relationships with host communities through responsive and people-oriented operations’, he said.

The naval spokesperson reaffirmed the navy’s commitment to ensuring the safety of all legitimate users of Nigeria’s waterways while sustaining its mandate of securing the nation’s maritime domain.