Category: PM News

Four suspects have been arrested over the abduction of an eight-year-old boy at Akko community of Gombe State.

The boy, who left home in Akko community on Saturday was rescued by the police 72 hours after he was last seen. His father, Alhaji Muhammadu Nabadara had reported the he was missing at the Akko Divisional Police Headquarters on Sunday.

Nadabara told the police that his eight-year-old son left home on Saturday about 6:30 a.m, to an unknown destination and did not return.

Gombe police Command spokesperson, Buhari Abdullahi, said in a statement on Thursday that intelligence-led operation by the police resulted in the arrest of the first suspect and subsequent arrest of three others.

‘Detectives immediately commenced investigations with coordinated efforts to trace the missing child.

‘On Monday, the family received a telephone call purportedly revealing the victim’s location. However, upon verification, the information was discovered to be false and misleading,’ he said.

Abdullahi said that operatives of the command tracked and arrested the prime suspect (name withheld), on June 30, following intelligence led operations.

The Gome Police Command’s spokesperson added that during investigation, the suspect named three other accomplices including an 18-year-old lady (name withheld).

‘The three accomplices were arrested, and the victim was found in their custody,’ he said, adding that the boy was rescued unharmed and has since been reunited with his family.

According to Abdullahi, the suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigation.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders Forum in Ondo State has told aggrieved members protesting the party’s candidates’ list to accept the decision of the National Working Committee, warning that public demonstrations cannot change the outcome.

The elders said the NWC’s decision on the candidates’ list must be respected by all members of the party, regardless of personal disappointment or sectional interests.

This followed protests by some APC women in Akure, the Ondo State capital, over the list of candidates released by the national leadership of the party.

The protesters alleged that some of the names on the list did not win the House of Representatives primaries held last month.

But addressing journalists in Akure on Wednesday, Chairman of the APC Elders Forum in the state, Demola Ijabiyi, said the elders fully backed the decision of the national secretariat.

According to him, the development showed that the APC remained a party guided by its constitution, rules and transparent processes, not personal ambition or political pressure.

Ijabiyi said the primaries conducted in Ondo State last month were not free and fair, describing them as a product of imposition.

He said there was no need for any protest over the NWC’s decision, insisting that party supremacy must prevail.

‘We have consistently cautioned against every form of candidate imposition within our party in Ondo State,’ he said.

‘We maintained, at every opportunity, that the wishes of party members, the integrity of the nomination process, and the supremacy of the party must never be sacrificed on the altar of personal ambition or political expediency.’

The APC elder said those protesting should accept the decision of the national leadership with dignity.

He argued that their grievances were built on primary election results that were not authentic or sustainable.

‘We understand the disappointment and frustration of those members and their supporters whose hopes were built on primary election results that were neither authentic nor sustainable,’ Ijabiyi said.

‘However, they owe it to themselves to accept the decision of our national leadership with dignity and without further agitation.

‘No amount of public protest can convert defeat into victory where no legitimate mandate was won in the first place.’

Ijabiyi warned that continued protests and defiance could amount to indiscipline and place those involved against the values and constitutional principles of the APC.

He said decisions taken by the party leadership are binding on all members.

‘The decisions of the party’s leadership are binding on all members, and the supremacy of the party must prevail over personal ambition or sectional interests,’ he said.

‘Continued protests and acts of defiance can only amount to indiscipline and risk placing those involved at variance with the party’s core values and constitutional principles.’

He urged the aggrieved members to submit to the authority of the party and channel their energy towards strengthening the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ijabiyi said the decision of the NWC had sent a clear message that no individual, no matter how highly placed, is greater than the party.

‘This development sends a clear message that the APC remains the final authority on party nominations and that no individual, regardless of position, is greater than the party,’ he said.

The elders also pledged to mobilise support across Ondo State for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates in the 2027 elections.

Ijabiyi said the forum would continue to promote reconciliation among members and defend the democratic ideals upon which the party was founded.

He called on leaders, elected officials, aspirants and stakeholders to close ranks, avoid divisive politics and work together in the interest of the APC and the people of Ondo State.

The statement signals a tough push by Ondo APC elders to end the post-primary crisis and rally the party behind the NWC’s candidates’ list ahead of the 2027 polls.

The Federal Government has introduced a new tariff policy that reduces Customs charges on imported vehicles.

Under the new policy, the levy on new vehicles has been reduced by 50 percent, while the levy on used vehicles has been reduced by about 67 percent.

The changes took effect on July 1, 2026, as part of the government’s fiscal policy measures aimed at reducing the cost of vehicle importation, easing the burden on importers, and making vehicles more affordable for consumers.

According to the new policy:

The import levy on new vehicles has been reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent.

The import levy on used vehicles has been reduced from 15 percent to 5 percent.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) announced the implementation of the policy on its website.

The Customs Service also stated that a Green Tax Surcharge will be introduced as part of the 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures to support environmental sustainability.

The statement said:

‘Beginning July 1, 2026, the Nigeria Customs Service will implement the Green Tax Surcharge as part of the 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures to support environmental sustainability, while also reducing the import levy on new vehicles from 20 percent to 10 percent and that of used vehicles from 15 percent to 5 percent to ease the cost of vehicle importation.’

The announcement has generated reactions from stakeholders in the maritime and automobile sectors.

President of the National Association of Motor Dealers and Chief Executive Officer of Mitchel Automobile Limited, Prince Ajibola, welcomed the reduction in import levies.

However, he said it is still too early to determine whether the policy will lead to lower vehicle prices because details of the Green Tax Surcharge have not yet been made public.

According to him, the reduction in levies is a positive development, but its benefits could be cancelled out if the new surcharge is set too high.

He explained that if the Green Tax Surcharge is lower than the amount removed from the import levies, vehicle prices could decrease.

However, if the surcharge is equal to or higher than the reduction, consumers may not see any significant difference in vehicle costs.

Former senator, Iyabo Obasanjo, has revealed that she resigned from the All Progressives Congress because she was upset over promises allegedly broken by the party’s consensus candidate in Ogun State.

Iyabo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, said the candidate failed to honour commitments made to her and her supporters after the party’s internal political process.

Speaking on The Morayo Show, the former senator said her exit from the APC was driven by disappointment and anger.

‘I resigned from the APC because I was upset that the consensus candidate failed to keep the promises he made to me and my followers,’ she said.

Her explanation comes after the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State officially received her following her resignation from the APC.

Iyabo had returned to active politics in January 2026 after about 15 years away from the political scene.

She joined the APC and declared her ambition to contest the Ogun State governorship election.

However, her stay in the ruling party was short-lived.

On May 31, 2026, she resigned from the APC after losing the governorship ticket, accusing the party leadership of disrespect, betrayal and unfair treatment.

Her move to the PDP has now added fresh drama to Ogun politics ahead of the 2027 elections.

For the APC, her exit raises questions about post-primary management and how the party handles aspirants who lose out during internal contests.

For the PDP, Iyabo’s arrival gives the opposition party a major political name as it prepares for the next governorship battle in Ogun State.

The former senator’s latest comment also confirms that her defection was not merely a routine political switch, but a protest against what she considered a broken agreement between her camp and the APC power structure.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has officially announced the start of its 2026 recruitment exercise and is inviting qualified Nigerians to apply for available positions across different categories.

In a recruitment notice released by the agency, FRSC said online applications will begin on July 3, 2026, and remain open for four weeks through its official recruitment portal.

The agency emphasized that the recruitment process is completely free and warned applicants not to pay anyone for employment opportunities.

FRSC advised candidates to use their personal email addresses and phone numbers when registering. It also stated that shortlisted applicants will be required to present printed copies of their completed application forms during the screening process.

According to the corps, vacancies are available in three main categories: the Officer Cadre, Marshal Inspectorate Cadre, and Road Marshal Assistant Cadre.

The Officer Cadre is open to qualified professionals such as medical doctors, pharmacists, nurses, medical laboratory scientists, lawyers, engineers, and graduates with B.Sc., BA, or HND qualifications, depending on the position being applied for.

The FRSC urged interested candidates to carefully follow the application guidelines and submit their applications within the specified period.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) has dropped six senatorial and 19 House of Representatives candidates from the final lists of candidates forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Among those dropped were former Benue Governor, Gabriel Suswam and former Ondo State House of Representatives member, Gbenga Elegbeleye.

Also contained in the final lists of dropped and replaced candidates forwarded to INEC, are 19 House of Representatives candidates that emerged victorious in the party’s primary elections held in May 2026.

According to the document forwarded to INEC, the states affected were Abia, Kogi, Taraba, Benue,Ebonyi, Ondo, Kaduna, Niger and Kwara.

In the letter sent to INEC and signed by APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and its National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, the party attributed the changes to the report of its Primary Election Appeal Committee.

The letter was titled: ‘Forwarding of approved list of senatorial and House of Representatives candidates’.

The letter read: ‘We write to formally forward the attached list of the party’s candidates for the affected senatorial and House of Representatives constituencies arising from the report of the Primary Election Appeal Committee.

‘Following the determination of appeals from the recently concluded primary elections, the reports of the Appeal Committee were reviewed and subsequently considered and approved by the party’s NWC as its final position on the affected constituencies.

‘In accordance with the amended Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’s regulations and guidelines, we hereby transmit the enclosed list of the approved candidates for seven senatorial districts and 19 House of Representatives constituencies for your records and necessary action.

‘Please accept the assurances of our highest regards.’

Sen. Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate, his deputy, Sen. Jibrin Barau, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno and Sen. Adams Oshiomhole received their Candidate Affidavit Forms (EC9).

Four state governors are among the candidates whose names were uploaded by the APC to the INEC portal.

The four governors are AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Hope Uzodimma of Imo, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa and Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe who had all been cleared by the party to contest Senate seats.

Also cleared are former Kaduna State Governor Mukhtar Yero, Sen. Shehu Sani and Sen. Sunday Katung to contest Senate seats in Kaduna State.

Former Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello secured the party’s ticket for the Kogi Central Senatorial District, he is among the 109 senatorial candidates running on the APC platform.

The uploading of candidates’ particulars, a continuous process, followed the ratification of the results of the April shadow polls and a review of the list in line with the outcome of the Primary Appeal Reports and INEC’S guidelines.

For the House of Representatives, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Mudashiru Obasa and James Faleke are among candidates to fly APC’s flag.

Political parties are expected to upload names and particulars of their presidential and National Assembly candidates on INEC’S nomination portal between 9 a.m from June 27, to 6p.m July 10, when the portal would be closed.

The documents to be uploaded include Form EC9, containing candidates’ personal particulars, and Forms EC9A, EC9B, EC9C, EC9D and EC9E, containing the names and lists of nominated candidates.

The commission had earlier conducted a two-day training for political party officials on the use of its Candidate Nomination Portal (ICNP) ahead of the exercise, after which parties were issued access codes.

The training was conducted by officials of the commission’s ICT Department in line with its established practice of ensuring that stakeholders were properly prepared for electoral processes.

Prof. Ibrahim Sani, the acting Director-General of the Electoral Institute, had earlier said that candidate nomination was a fundamental stage of the electoral process.

He said the success of any election began with the proper nomination of candidates, adding that political parties must fully understand and comply with the legal and procedural requirements guiding the process.

According to Mr Felix Morka, the APC National Publicity Secretary, the party received over 700 petitions from aggrieved members on the ongoing process.

He, however said that the party’s priority now, was for all its candidates to complete their INEC nomination forms and have them uploaded to the commission’s portal.

He said those who emerged as the party’s candidates, were being provided with the relevant forms for documentation.

‘They are to complete and return the forms to the party for upload to the INEC portal, so, making the list public is not our priority now.

‘Although we will eventually release the list, our immediate priority is to ensure that our candidates complete their forms and meet INEC’S deadline.

‘This is more important to us than the public release of the candidates’ list. Those who are our candidates have, by now, received their forms. They already know themselves, there is no tension about that,’ Morka said.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has taken custody of 6,778.5 kilogrammes of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, intercepted at the Apapa Port in Lagos.

The seizure followed a joint operation involving the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, the NDLEA and other security agencies.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), said the operation showed the agency’s determination to break international drug trafficking networks.

Marwa spoke on Wednesday during the handover of the seized consignments. He was represented by the Director of Seaport Operations, Ibinabo Archie-Abia.

According to him, the drugs were recovered in two separate interceptions carried out on June 15 and June 24 after months of intelligence gathering.

He said the operation was coordinated by the NDLEA’s Special Investigation Unit and Marine Intelligence Unit, in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, RCMP, and the NCS.

Marwa said the traffickers used complex international shipping routes in an attempt to beat security checks.

He, however, said NDLEA operatives tracked the consignments across several countries before they were intercepted at the port.

The first container, marked CAAU 7569127, reportedly left Toronto on April 16 and moved by rail to Montreal, where it was loaded onto the vessel Ghallow Express.

The shipment later passed through Tangier Med in Morocco and was trans-shipped onto Spartel Trader before arriving at Tin Can Island Port on May 27.

It was later transferred to Apapa Port, where it was intercepted during a joint examination on June 10.

Marwa said the second container, marked HAMU 3246311, left Montreal on May 1 aboard Africa Express.

It was later trans-shipped onto Algeciras Express and arrived at Tin Can Island Port before being moved to Apapa Port on June 22, where NDLEA officers intercepted it.

The NDLEA boss said the agency would not stop at seizing illicit drugs, but would also go after the people and financial networks behind the consignments.

‘Our work does not end with seizure. We are committed to identifying, arresting and prosecuting those responsible, confiscating their criminal assets, and ensuring that they derive no benefit whatsoever from their illegal enterprise,’ he said.

Marwa commended Customs and other security agencies for effective intelligence sharing and operational collaboration.

He said the operation showed the importance of inter-agency cooperation and international partnerships in tackling transnational organised crime and illicit drug trafficking.

He added that the NDLEA remained committed to preventing dangerous drugs from entering Nigerian communities and dismantling the syndicates behind their importation.

The agency had earlier said the seized Canadian Loud from Toronto had an estimated street value of N12.39 billion.

The presidential candidate of National Democratic Congress, NDC, for 2027 general election, Peter Obi has said he will pursue a vision anchored on robust development of human capital for productive and prosperous Nigeria if he is elected to office.

Peter Obi said this in a statement published on his social media handles on Wednesday while recalling that he had pledged to place Nigeria on the path of unity and national transformation when he decided to contest for presidency.

He added that as the candidate of NDC he will provide insights into the roadmap that will help curb abuse in government, halt the decline in the quality of life of Nigerians at all levels, and usher in an era of unity, peace, sustained progress, and prosperity if he is elected to office in the next few months.

He added that the is anchored on a commitment to unity, inclusion, social justice, equity, and the freedom of every citizen to pursue lawful dreams.

‘Central to this proposed roadmap are significant reforms in education and healthcare, which are at the core of human capital development.

‘Robust human capital is indispensable infrastructure for national progress. It serves as the fundamental capital upon which daily life, economic expansion, and the delivery of essential public services depend.

‘These are foundational areas that we must reform with energy and determination if we are to reap the demographic dividend of our youthful population,’ Obi said.

Giving further details of the vision, the NDC presidential candidate said from the outset of his presidency, he will establish a task force dedicated to drastically reducing the menace of out-of-school children.

He added that his government will also place greater emphasis on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to support Nigeria’s drive for massive industrialisation, anchored on our agricultural endowments and value addition across value chains organised around industrial parks to be located in development zones across the geopolitical regions of the country.

Obi added that funding and the equipment for the TVET institutions will be sourced through partnerships among government, the private sector, and social entrepreneurs such as faith-based educators, will facilitate apprenticeship opportunities in the private sector, similar to the German dual education system.

‘The situation in which unemployment remains high while Nigerian entrepreneurs establish businesses elsewhere because skilled labour is scarce must be confronted decisively. Doing so is essential for the common good and for facilitating our transition from a consumption-driven economy to a production-driven one,’ said Obi

He added that his administration will also put emphasis on character and civic education to emphasise the values that foster trust which, according to him, is an ‘essential ingredient for enterprise and leadership – as well as shared national values, will receive significant attention within the tripartite approach to governance that we propose’

Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has rewarded thousands of customers with more than ?400 million in anniversary bonuses under its flagship UBA Bumper Account, reinforcing its commitment to rewarding customer loyalty and encouraging a strong savings culture.

The payout, one of the largest since the Bumper Account was introduced, saw eligible customers receive cash bonuses directly into their accounts, reflecting the bank’s drive to create lasting value for customers who consistently save with UBA.

The UBA Bumper Account is a unique savings product designed to reward customers for maintaining and growing their savings. Eligible account holders receive annual cash bonuses on their account anniversary, making disciplined saving both rewarding and beneficial over time.

Speaking on the milestone, UBA’s Head of Retail Products, Tomiwa Sotiloye, said the initiative underscores the bank’s dedication to recognising customers who continue to entrust their financial aspirations to UBA.

‘At UBA, we believe customer loyalty deserves meaningful recognition. Every bonus paid is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to customers who continue to trust us with their financial aspirations. Surpassing the ?400 million milestone reflects our commitment to creating products that not only help customers save but also reward them in tangible ways. It is another demonstration that when our customers grow, we grow with them,’ Sotiloye said.

He added that both new and existing customers can open a UBA Bumper Account through any UBA branch, the UBA Mobile Banking App, by dialling *919#, or online via the bank’s dedicated platform, enabling them to qualify for future anniversary rewards.

Also speaking, UBA’s Group Head, Brands, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, said the Bumper Account reflects the bank’s customer-first philosophy and commitment to delivering products that provide real value.

‘The UBA Bumper Account reflects our unwavering commitment to putting customers first. We deliberately design products that reward responsible financial behaviour while delivering real value. Crediting over ?400 million directly into customers’ accounts is not just a payout; it is evidence of our promise to make banking more rewarding and to continually appreciate the confidence our customers repose in us,’ she said.

The UBA Bumper Account remains one of the bank’s flagship retail savings products, combining attractive loyalty rewards, competitive savings benefits and digital convenience. It also forms part of UBA’s broader strategy to deepen financial inclusion by encouraging sustainable savings habits while enhancing customer experience.

United Bank for Africa Plc, Africa’s Global Bank, serves more than 45 million customers across 20 African countries, as well as the United Kingdom, the United States, France and the United Arab Emirates, providing retail, commercial and institutional banking services through innovative technology and customer-focused solutions.

Rabbi Bennett, a native of Delta State and female staffer of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) attached to Ife North Local Government Area, Ipetumodu, Osun State, has been remanded for alleged illegal sale of free mosquito nets.

The Osun State Police Command informed on Tuesday in a press release signed by PPRO Abiodun Ojelabi that police received information on 9 June 2026 about an incident involving the alleged illegal sale of government-owned mosquito nets meant for public distribution.

According to police, nemesis caught up with Bennet when she engaged in a fight with a motorcycle rider in Ipetumodu, Opeyemi Ajibola, over the proceeds realised from the unlawful sales. This led to some witnesses hinting the police of the crime.

‘Preliminary investigation revealed that one Rabbi Bennett ‘F’, a native of Delta State and a staff of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) attached to Ife North Local Government Area, Ipetumodu, reportedly engaged in a dispute with one Opeyemi Ajibola (M), an Okada rider of Ayetoro Street, Ipetumodu, over proceeds realised from the unlawful sale of mosquito nets.

‘Further investigation established that the suspects, in collaboration with one Aminu Ibrahim (M), allegedly sold six (6) bundles containing three hundred (300) pieces of mosquito nets on 8th June 2026. The mosquito nets were originally meant to be distributed free of charge to members of the public as directed under the government health intervention programme.

‘Following the incident, the three suspects were arrested and taken into custody for interrogation. During investigation, they confessed to their involvement in the alleged offence.

‘The case has since been charged to court, and all suspects have been remanded at the Correctional Centre pending further judicial proceedings,’ police said in the release.

The command reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public resources and ensuring that individuals entrusted with public welfare programmes are held accountable under the law.