Category: PM News

Bandits have abducted a Kebbi State High Court judge, Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza, shortly after he returned home from a trip to Sokoto.

The gunmen stormed the judge’s residence along Zogirma Road in Bunza Local Government Area around midnight as Saturday turned into Sunday.

They reportedly fired several shots into the air before taking Justice Bunza away.

‘He had just returned from Sokoto when the gunmen stormed his residence and took him away,’ a source said.

No member of the judge’s household was injured during the attack.

The incident was immediately reported to security agencies and the leadership of the Kebbi State High Court.

According to Daily Trust, Police spokesperson SP Bashir Usman confirmed that Justice Bunza was abducted from his home around midnight.

‘I can confirm that Hon. Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza was abducted from his residence in Bunza around midnight,’ Usman said.

He disclosed that Commissioner of Police Umar Muhammad Hadejia had deployed tactical and intelligence operatives to locate the abductors and rescue the judge.

Police teams were also reportedly searching identified locations and forest areas for Justice Bunza.

The All Progressives Congress has unveiled a 276-member National Campaign Council to coordinate its campaign for the Osun State governorship election slated for August 15, 2026.

A statement issued on Sunday by the party’s National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, and published on the APC’s X handle, named the Governor of Imo State and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, as chairman of the council.

The party also appointed Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Senate President Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas as co-chairmen.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political and Other Matters, Hon. Ibrahim Kabir Masari, will serve as deputy chairman, while Deputy Senate President Senator Barau I. Jibrin has been named secretary of the council.

According to the statement, the campaign council draws its membership from across the party’s leadership structure, including governors, members of the National Working Committee, ministers, principal officers of the National Assembly, federal and state lawmakers, as well as other prominent stakeholders.

The statement said, ‘The Council comprises eminent party leaders, governors, members of the National Working Committee, principal officers of the National Assembly, ministers, federal and state legislators, and other key stakeholders drawn from across the country to drive the party’s campaign towards victory.’

To strengthen its election preparations, the APC also established a number of specialised subcommittees that will oversee critical aspects of the campaign.

These committees will handle election planning and management, finance and resource mobilisation, grassroots mobilisation, logistics, campaign coordination, monitoring and compliance, protocol, media and publicity, security, youth mobilisation, mobilisation of persons with disabilities, women’s mobilisation and secretariat duties.

The party further announced that the National Campaign Council and the various subcommittees will be formally inaugurated on Tuesday as campaigning gathers momentum ahead of the Osun governorship election.

The Federal Government has inaugurated an inter-ministerial committee to prepare the 2026 Value Added Tax (VAT) Modification Order as part of efforts to implement Nigeria’s new tax laws.

The committee, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Raymond Omachi, was inaugurated in Abuja by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele.

According to a statement by the ministry’s Head of Information and Public Relations, Efe Ovuakporie, the committee will align the new VAT Order with the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, which replaced the previous VAT law.

Oyedele said the assignment would ‘provide greater certainty for businesses, investors and tax administrators,’ adding that it was vital to the successful implementation of the Tax Reform Acts, which took effect on 1 January 2026.

He stressed that the new document must go beyond updating the previous order.

‘This is not about reproducing an old document. It is about developing a VAT Modification Order that is clear, practical and responsive to the needs of a changing economy,’ Oyedele said.

The minister directed the committee to review VAT administration, engage key stakeholders and recommend updated lists of VAT-exempt and zero-rated supplies. It is expected to submit its report, including a draft Order and any proposed legislative amendments, within six weeks.

Urging members to deliver a practical framework, Oyedele said: ‘Nigerians cannot wait. Businesses need certainty. Investors need confidence. Government needs a VAT system that is easy to administer and supports growth. I urge you to approach this assignment with diligence, objectivity and a sense of urgency.’

Vice President Kashim Shettima has said African nations must take their rightful place in controlling the continent’s resources and global trade.

Shettima spoke on Friday in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, during a tour and assessment of the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ).

He said Africa must maximise its vast natural endowments by developing industries capable of processing raw materials into higher-value products.

The vice president said Nigeria’s renewed industrialisation drive would leave no region behind, with the Federal Government working alongside subnational governments.

He expressed satisfaction with Benin’s efforts to achieve mass production and export of locally sourced resources.

Shettima regretted that Africa benefits from only about one per cent of the global cotton industry, valued at 370 billion dollars.

He said reviving Nigeria’s textile value chain could create millions of jobs, boost non-oil exports and stimulate economic activities nationwide.

The vice president expressed his satisfaction after inspecting cotton, textile, cashew and soya bean oil production facilities at the industrial zone.

‘We are here essentially at the behest of President Tinubu, in the spirit of his Renewed Hope Agenda, to see and peer-review global best practices,’ he said.

Shettima said the visit would help Nigeria learn from Benin’s experience in creating integrated value chains for cotton, cashew and soya bean.

‘We are setting up eight agro-industrial zones in eight states in our country,’ he said.

He added that the GDIZ represented, ‘an African success story where there is a whole chain of value addition in cotton, cashew and soya bean value chains.

‘Be rest assured that we have learnt a lot of lessons through this visit, and we are going to replicate a lot of that in Nigeria.’

He said the Federal Government remained focused on making Nigeria one of the world’s industrialised nations under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The vice president was briefed on GDIZ’s structure, production capacity and investment potential by Benin’s Minister of Tourism and Foreign Trade.

The delegation inspected integrated textile and agro-processing facilities, where locally produced cotton is transformed into yarn, fabric and finished garments.

It also toured facilities processing cashew and other agricultural commodities for domestic consumption and export.

The visit formed part of Nigeria’s efforts to draw practical lessons from Benin’s success in linking agriculture with manufacturing.

It also focused on attracting private investment and transforming raw materials into higher-value finished products.

Shettima was accompanied by the governors of Kwara, Imo, Katsina, Plateau, Zamfara and Jigawa states.

The Federal Government has said it has no plans to increase electricity tariffs for consumers in any service band.

The Special Adviser to the President on Power Infrastructure in the Office of the Vice President, Sadiq Wanka, made the clarification after some media reports suggested that electricity tariffs would soon be increased.

In a statement shared on his X account on Saturday, Wanka said there is no planned tariff increase for any electricity consumer connected to the national grid.

He added that the government remains committed to protecting low income and vulnerable households through continued electricity subsidies.

Wanka explained that his earlier comments were made during a presentation at the Asharami Square 3.0 event held in Lagos on July 22.

He said the discussion focused on investment opportunities in Nigeria’s power sector and the reforms introduced by the Federal Government to attract investors.

According to him, he only restated the government’s existing policy contained in the National Integrated Electricity Policy, which was completed in December 2024 and approved by the Federal Executive Council in May 2025.

He explained that the policy supports a gradual move to cost reflective electricity tariffs. So far, this has only been implemented for Band A customers.

Wanka stressed that there are no plans to remove subsidies for consumers in other service bands. Instead, the government is looking at better ways to provide support while ensuring value for money.

He also highlighted the Power Consumer Assistance Fund (PCAF), introduced under the Electricity Act 2023.

The fund is designed to provide targeted subsidies directly to vulnerable electricity users through their electricity accounts or other verified identification methods. According to him, the system will improve transparency and encourage more investment in the power sector.

The presidential adviser also said the Tinubu administration values the role of journalists in helping Nigerians understand government policies.

He noted that initiatives such as the Asharami Square programme help improve journalists’ understanding of complex policy issues, making it easier to communicate them accurately to the public.

He added that the government looks forward to continued cooperation with the media in informing Nigerians about its policies.

Business executive Osborn Nweze Umahi has congratulated the Minister of Works, Senator David Nweze Umahi, on his birthday, commending his dedication to national development and family leadership.

In a goodwill message, Osborn described the Minister as ‘the best father ever.’

He noted that his guidance, discipline and unwavering commitment have remained a source of inspiration.

He further praised the Minister’s contributions to Nigeria’s road infrastructure while acknowledging the values of humility, resilience and service he has consistently demonstrated.

Osborn prayed for continued divine protection, good health and wisdom as his father continues to serve the country.

The birthday celebration attracted congratulatory messages from dignitaries, associates and members of the public.

The Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) has indefinitely suspended two staff members of its Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering over their alleged extortion and breaches of the institution’s regulations.

The affected staff were Dr Collins Ojeh and Mr Emmanuel Eze.

Their suspension is contained in a separate letters addressed to them and signed by the Registrar of the university, Mr Ambrose Ugwu, on Saturday in Enugu.

The university said the action followed the report and recommendations of a committee established to investigate allegations against the two staff members.

According to the letter addressed to Ojeh, the Vice-Chancellor, on behalf of the university management, approved his indefinite suspension without pay with effect from July 20, 2026.

The university said the decision was based on the committee’s findings regarding his alleged involvement in reported cases of extortion and breaches of the university’s regulations.

It said that Ojeh was directed to immediately hand over all university property in his possession to the Head of the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering.

Similarly, Eze was suspended with effect from July 20, 2026, pending further investigation by the university’s Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee.

The university said his suspension also followed the committee’s report and recommendations on his alleged involvement in the reported cases of extortion and regulatory breaches.

He was equally directed to hand over all university property in his possession to the Head of the Department.

In a related development, the university issued a warning to the Acting Head of the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Dr Princewill Ene.

In a warning letter dated July 21, 2026, the Vice-Chancellor, acting on the committee’s recommendations, directed that Ene be cautioned for poor monitoring of activities within and around the department during his tenure as Acting Head of Department.

The university warned that any further report against him on related matters would attract maximum sanctions in line with its existing regulations.

A midnight fire believed to have been caused by a power surge destroyed two self-contained apartments in a residential complex opposite Metropolitan Square, off Asa-Dam Road in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The Kwara State Fire Service said the incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, but swift action by its personnel prevented the flames from spreading to neighbouring apartments and a nearby building.

In a statement issued by the agency’s Public Relations Officer, Hassan Adekunle, the fire service said it received an emergency call at about 2.27am.

According to him, ‘The agency received a distress call at about 2:27 a.m. Firefighters arrived at the scene at 2:35 a.m. and brought the fire under control by about 2:40 a.m.’

Adekunle explained that the affected property consisted of eight room-and-parlour self-contained apartments alongside a separate storey building containing four-bedroom flats. He noted that only two of the self-contained apartments were damaged, while the remaining units and the adjoining building were protected from the blaze.

He added, ‘Firefighters arrived at the scene at 02:35hrs and swiftly commenced firefighting operations. Through their prompt and professional response, the fire was successfully brought under control at about 02:40hrs, thereby preventing further destruction.’

The fire service said preliminary investigations indicated that an electrical power surge ignited combustible materials inside the affected apartments.

Following the incident, the Chief Fire Officer of the Kwara State Fire Service, Alabi Muhammed, urged residents to take electrical safety more seriously to reduce the risk of similar outbreaks.

He said, ‘Residents should install surge protection devices and use only standard electrical fittings in their homes. Property owners should also carry out regular inspections and maintenance of electrical wiring and avoid overloading electrical outlets.’

Muhammed also appealed to residents to report fire incidents immediately, noting that early notification improves the chances of protecting lives and property.

He reiterated the agency’s commitment to responding promptly to emergencies while continuing public awareness campaigns on fire prevention.

The latest fire comes less than a week after another power surge sparked a blaze in a 14-room residential building in Ilorin on 20 July. Firefighters contained that incident before it spread to nearby properties.

Nigerian troops have intensified nationwide security operations, neutralising a suspected female terrorist spy in Borno State and arresting 14 suspected criminals, including alleged IPOB/ESN members, cultists and a deserter soldier, the military has disclosed.

According to operational reports released on Saturday, the suspected female operative, believed to be linked to ISWAP/Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), was detected through closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance as she approached a military position from the Sambisa Forest axis.

The report said troops of the 222 Battalion, deployed at the Forward Operating Base, Kawuri, in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, engaged and neutralised the suspect before she could reach the base’s defensive perimeter.

In a separate operation within the Federal Capital Territory, troops of Operation MESA arrested a soldier who allegedly deserted from the 13 Brigade during a stop-and-search operation at a checkpoint in the Bwari Area Council.

Military authorities said the suspect was found in possession of a military uniform and a vehicle, both of which were recovered during the arrest.

The troops also intercepted another vehicle transporting suspected stolen armoured cables and arrested its driver for further investigation.

In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA arrested five suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), at Etuekwe Junction in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.

According to the report, the suspects were apprehended at a secluded location believed to serve as a movement corridor for the group.

Meanwhile, troops of the 82 Division Garrison and the 103 Battalion, working alongside other security agencies, arrested eight suspected cultists at Eha-Amufu in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Preliminary investigations, the military said, linked the suspects to terrorist-related activities around border communities between Enugu and Ebonyi states.

The suspects have since been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The military also reported that troops conducting Operations Desert Sanity V, FANSAN YAMMA and Savannah Shield recorded no significant security incidents within their respective operational areas during the review period.

Separately, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Sub-Delegation in Maiduguri visited Sector 3 of Operation HADIN KAI/Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) at the Kinnasara Cantonment in Monguno, Borno State.

During the visit, the ICRC delegation briefed the sector commander on the organisation’s humanitarian mandate, including its commitment to promoting international humanitarian law and supporting communities affected by the insurgency across the Lake Chad Basin.

The Chairman of Agege Local Government Area of Lagos, Mr Abdul-Ganiyu Obasa, on Friday empowered residents with the sum of N140 million to support businesses and households.

The event which was held at the council’s secretariat, was attended by the management staff and all elected officials of the local government.

A total of N140 million was distributed to residents, businesses, market affiliates and youths.

Speaking at the ceremony, Obasa said that each beneficiary would receive the sum of N100,000 as business support.

He said that the initiative was designed to support small businesses and households, and to cushion the effects of ongoing economic reforms in the country.

According to him, beneficiaries are drawn from all seven wards, markets, businesses, youths and women groups within Agege.

He urged beneficiaries to use the funds judiciously to boost their businesses and livelihood.

‘This is not politics as usual, this is about dignity, about a mother in Dopemu who can restock her shop without borrowing, about a young welder in oke-koto who can buy his first machine.

‘It is about a graduate who can start small, and grow big right here in Agege,’ the chairman said.

He said that monitoring would follow after a period of time to track business growth.

Obasa reaffirmed commitment to residents’ welfare, vowed that Agege LG would continue initiatives that would reduce hardship and promote economic growth.

He appealed to those not selected to be patient, as the cash empowerment programme was continuous, and more residents would benefit.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Toyin Gbadegesin, commended the chairman, describing the empowerment as timely, and impactful for livelihoods in Agege.

‘I am so happy with this opportunity, it like a dream,’ Gbadegesin said.

Another beneficiary, Mrs Oluyemisi Agbaje, said that the money would help her business to grow.