Category: The Nation – Nigeria

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, last night sustained her lead in the ongoing process by the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA) to elect a new president, among other national officers.

By the results seen on ‘real time voters’ dashboard for the 2026 NBA national elections,’ Mrs. Badejo-Okusanya, at 9:20pm was leading the other two presidential candidates with 11,206 votes (46:62% of total votes cast for the presidential category).

Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe (SAN) was following with 7,335 (30:51 %) while Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro (SAN) had 5,498 (22:87%).

Total number of registered voters stood at 82,164, out of which 24,112 had voted.

Results earlier released at 6:00 p.m. yesterday showed that 21,665 lawyers out of 82,164 registered voters had cast their ballots, representing a 26.37 per cent turnout.

By then, Badejo-Okusanya polled 9,930 votes (45.82 per cent) to maintain a comfortable lead, with Akangbe securing 6,708 votes (30.99 per cent) and Akinboro having 5,021 votes (23.21 per cent).

It was learnt that the actual polling, planned to begin in the early hours of yesterday, was delayed by a cyber-attack on the association’s electronic voting platform.

Claims that the process was threatened was confirmed by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA), which announced an indefinite delay in the commencement of voting following what it described as a coordinated cyber attack on its electronic voting platform.

The ECNBA had claimed that external actors targeted the platform in what seemed an attempt to compromise the integrity of the process.

In a statement, ECNBA 2026’s Chair, Aham Ejelam (SAN) and Secretary, Ibrahim Aliyu Nassarawa, said the platform came under a ‘deliberate, coordinated and sustained cyberattack’ aimed at disrupting, sabotaging and undermining the election.

The ECNBA added its cyber security team and Election Voting Service Provider, EVSP, immediately activated emergency security protocols to contain the threat and restore full functionality of the system.

It promised members that no votes were accepted during the disruption and that voting only commenced after the platform had been secured.

The committee maintained that despite the disruption, the election remained under its supervision, while candidates, agents and observers continued monitoring the process from the designated election centre.

Members of the association are also voting for candidates contesting other national offices, including the First, Second and Third Vice Presidents; General Secretary; Assistant General Secretary; Welfare Secretary; Assistant Welfare Secretary; Treasurer; Publicity Secretary and Assistant Publicity Secretary.

Elections are also being held for representatives of the Eastern, Western and Northern zones.

The final outcome of the presidential election will be determined after the completion of the electronic voting exercise and the collation of the results by the ECNBA.

Meanwhile, one of the candidates, Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, SAN, yesterday raised concerns over alleged technical glitches affecting the association’s ongoing national elections, saying he had been unable to vote nearly 12 hours after the exercise commenced.

Akangbe, who spoke on the conduct of the election, said the voting process was delayed, with the exercise unable to commence at midnight as scheduled and eventually starting at about 7:35 a.m.

According to him, several voters had been unable to cast their ballots because of problems with one-time passwords (OTPs), malfunctioning links and the voting website.

‘First, we couldn’t start at 12 midnight. We couldn’t start until about 7:35 in the morning. When we started, people couldn’t vote. So many OTPs are dropping; people can’t vote with the OTPs,’ he said.

Akangbe said he had personally been unable to vote despite being a presidential candidate, adding that links sent to him by the NBA president and the chairman of the Association of Criminal Bar Advocates of Nigeria (ACNBA) failed to work.

‘Even I, as a candidate, I cannot vote. I’ve been unable to vote. I made a note to the NBA president and I made a note to the chairman of the ACNBA.

‘They’ve sent me about three or four links between the two of them. None of them is working. Even my ACN number is not recognised, telling me that it’s an invalid ACN number,’ he said.

The candidate said many of his supporters across several locations, including Jos, Owerri, Kogi and Benue, had also complained that they could not vote.

He said members of the 2025 graduating class were also among those reportedly experiencing difficulties with the voting process.

‘Many of my supporters have been calling me; they cannot vote. Everywhere you go-Jos, Owerri, Kogi, Benue, everywhere,’ he said.

Akangbe alleged that the technical problems had disenfranchised a significant number of eligible voters, saying more people may have been unable to vote than those who had successfully cast their ballots.

He also alleged that some voters had been able to vote twice, describing the development as a serious concern that required urgent attention.

‘I have records of people that voted twice. I have a record. I have with me people voting twice in this election,’ he said.

Akangbe said he had contacted the NBA president over the complaints and was given the contact of an official in the association’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) department to help resolve the problems.

However, he said repeated calls to the official were unanswered.

‘I’ve called him more than eight times; he didn’t pick up his phone. I relayed back to the NBA president. He said he didn’t sleep all night. So right now, he’s sleeping, that’s why he’s not picking my calls,’ he said.

The presidential candidate described the situation as voter suppression and called on his supporters not to give up, saying the voting period would remain open until 7 a.m.

‘This is not about sour grapes. It’s the reality; it’s the fact. Ask anybody, they will tell you. People just simply cannot vote,’ he said.

Akangbe urged his supporters to continue attempting to vote, expressing confidence that he could still emerge victorious if the eligible voters who had been unable to cast their ballots were able to participate.

‘To my supporters, please do not give up. Continue voting, continue trying. The period will go until 7 in the morning,’ he said.

Persistent crop losses from pests and diseases, declining soil productivity and the growing impact of climate change have contributed to poor yields and shrinking incomes, recurring realities that have confronted smallholders farmers across Nigeria.

In the past, the farmers have relied more on fertilizers and chemicals to deal with these issues, with little result, underscoring the urgent need for innovations capable of producing more food with fewer resources.

It is against this backdrop that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) were developed, specifically to help crops resist destructive pests and diseases, tolerate environmental stresses, reduce production losses, and improve food security. Yet, despite these objectives, public discourse around the technology in Nigeria has for years been dominated by fear rather than facts.

Over time, the term ‘GMO’ became a phrase draped in shadows and spoken with a skepticism that often bordered on superstition. To many, especially activists who have been openly averse to the technology, these three letters represented a threat to tradition, a gamble with human health, and a surrender to foreign corporate interests.

GMOs were repeatedly linked to a range of alleged health risks, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss, creating a narrative that often overshadowed scientific evidence and practical realities on the farm.

But, while this narrative festered, a quiet revolution was taking root in the sun-drenched soils of farmlands across Nigeria. This time, the story is no longer being written by activists in city centres. It is being written by the calloused hands of the men and women who feed the nation. As another planting season dawns, the long-standing negative rhetoric is steadily giving way to a far more compelling force-results. For an increasing number of farmers, lived experience has become the strongest testimony, shifting the conversation from fear and speculation to improved harvests, greater resilience, and better livelihoods.

To understand why farmers are switching sides, one must first understand the ‘maths of survival’ that defined the old way of farming. For decades, Nigerian smallholders have been locked in a losing battle against the ‘twin thieves’: drought and pests.

Consider the Maruca vitrata, a pod borer that can wipe out 80% of the harvest of cowpea commonly known as beans. For those who have tried their hands in cowpea farming, traditional varieties meant drenching your fields in expensive, often toxic insecticides upwards of eight times a season just to salvage a meager yield.

This, according to many farmers, ‘breaks the spirit,’ as it further places their livelihood at the mercy of factors they cannot control, turning farming from a business into a tragedy in slow motion.

While farmers grappled with these recurring production challenges, the search for sustainable solutions sparked one of the most contentious debates in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, the introduction of PBR Cowpea and TELA Maize, which was trailed by an intense controversy, particularly in its early stages. Civil society groups, activists, and some associations raised concerns about potential health risks, ecological disruption, and the long-term implications of adopting genetically modified crops.

Critics questioned whether sufficient independent studies had been conducted on food safety and worried about unintended effects on biodiversity, such as harm to beneficial insects or the development of pest resistance over time. There were also fears that cross-pollination could affect local crop varieties, potentially reducing genetic diversity that many smallholder farmers rely on for resilience.

Years down the line, the introduction of the two improved varieties of crops developed by indigenous scientists with support from international agencies under global best practices may have fundamentally changed the internal monologue of the Nigerian farmer. These are not just scientific curiosities. They are tools of liberation.

According to available reports, PBR Cowpea is a variety of the black eyed bean that has been engineered by scientists at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) in Zaria, Kaduna State to resist the pod borer, Maruca. Further information on the variety says that it reduces chemical spraying from eight times to just twice.

Similarly, those behind the TELA Maize say it has been developed with built-in resilience, claiming that it offers a double-edged defence against drought and the devastating Fall Army worm and stem borer pests.

Critics often claim that adopting GM crops is a ‘wild west’ experiment. However, representatives of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), the body created by the government of Nigeria to regulate biotechnology, say otherwise. They say, in NBMA, Nigeria has established one of Africa’s most robust regulatory frameworks.

It is important to note that NBMA was not to ‘promote’ GMOs. It was actually established to police every activity relating to the development and consumption of GMOs in the country. By this mandate, one should be safe to say that any seed that reaches a farmer’s hand in any part of Nigeria must have undergone rigorous risk assessments, from allergenicity to its impact on non-target organisms like bees.

This ‘invisible guardrail’ is what allows innovation to flourish without compromising public safety.

Although it is gladdening to note that Nigeria has made remarkable progress in the GMOs regulation, the battle for food sovereignty in the country and other parts of Africa remains an uphill climb. With only eight African nations having commercialised GM crops, the continent stands at a crossroads.

While the global GMO market is projected to reach $871 million by 2030, for Nigeria, the stakes are higher than mere dollars, especially when matched against the role of food safety in the race for achieving national security.

One thing that could be easily said is that Nigeria has moved beyond the era of ‘invective’ as far genetic modification is concerned. The scaremongering that once dominated the conversation is losing its sting. When a farmer scales his operation from one hectare to five, he is not doing it because of a laboratory report. He is doing it because, for the first time in generations, the harvest is guaranteed.

Nigeria is no longer just planting seeds. Farmers have shifted to planting a future where hard work finally meets its match in technology. The era of flourishing may have begun, as Nigerian farmers have moved from a place where fear once dictated their decisions, as evidence is beginning to take root. Fields that once symbolised uncertainty are now yielding not just crops, but possibility.

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has likened President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Singapore’s founding leader, Lee Kuan Yew, saying the President’s economic reforms have placed Nigeria on a new path of development and could earn him a second term in 2027.

Uzodimma made the remarks on Friday during a state dinner at the Government House, Owerri, marking the conclusion of a three-day national media inspection of federal and state government projects in Imo State by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors and the Presidential Communications Team.

The governor said President Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, with a clear understanding of Nigeria’s economic challenges and immediately embarked on far-reaching reforms.

In a statement issued by the Director of Media and Publicity of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Tunde Rahman, Uzodimma said: ‘The old order is gone and there is now a new order. President Tinubu knew exactly what he came to do. He started implementing the reforms immediately because he understood the task before him.’

Drawing a biblical analogy, Uzodimma compared Nigeria’s economic condition before the reforms to the bondage of the Israelites in Egypt. He said although the policies initially imposed hardship, they were necessary to free the country from years of economic stagnation.

He said the reforms were already yielding results through increased revenues accruing to states, enabling greater investments in infrastructure and human capital development.

According to him, the transformation in Imo State is a direct outcome of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

‘Everything we are doing in Imo today is made possible because of the Renewed Hope Agenda. We are pursuing sustainable development, investing in infrastructure, healthcare, education and technology because the reforms have created the enabling environment for development,’ he said.

Uzodimma expressed confidence that Nigerians would re-elect President Tinubu in 2027, adding that the benefits of the administration’s policies would become more evident over time.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, commended the governor for what he described as Imo State’s infrastructure transformation following the inspection tour.

Dare said the projects reflected practical implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda through collaboration between the Federal Government and the state. He noted that increased allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), arising from the reforms, were being translated into development.

He listed the projects inspected to include the Imo Digital City, a 2,000-bed Infectious Disease Centre, the Heart Transplant Centre in Orlu, the University of Innovation, Science and Technology in Omuma, the expansion of the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Convention Centre, and the Orlu-Akokwa-Uga Border Road.

According to him, the projects have positioned Imo as a model of people-centred development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Speaking on behalf of the visiting journalists, Dr Soni Daniel said the tour provided firsthand evidence of investments in roads, healthcare, education, digital technology and human capital development.

He added that the projects reflected prudent management of public resources and had positioned Imo among the leading states in infrastructure development.

The three-day media tour, which featured more than 40 senior editors and journalists, was organised by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in collaboration with the Presidential Communications Team to showcase federal and state projects in Imo State.

For millions of Muslims, Hajj is the culmination of a lifetime of faith-a sacred journey where the soul seeks purification long before the body reaches Makkah. But for administrators entrusted with managing the pilgrimage, the journey begins not in the Holy Land, but in the often-complex corridors of policy, logistics, accountability and public trust.

For years, Nigeria’s Hajj administration has oscillated between commendation and criticism. Successful airlifts have often been overshadowed by complaints over accommodation, transportation, feeding arrangements and service delivery, leaving many pilgrims to wonder whether the spiritual burden of Hajj should also include the burden of administrative uncertainty.

This week in Abuja, however, there was a noticeable departure from the familiar script.

Rather than celebrating another completed pilgrimage, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) convened one of the most introspective gatherings in its history-a Stakeholders’ Summit dedicated not merely to reviewing the 2026 Hajj exercise but to fundamentally redesigning the future of Nigeria’s Hajj and Umrah industry.

With the theme, ‘Repositioning Nigeria’s Hajj Industry as a Model of Service Excellence,’ the summit brought together government officials, traditional rulers, Islamic scholars, state pilgrims’ welfare boards, licensed tour operators and industry experts in what many described as the beginning of a structural reset.

At the centre of the conversation stood the Commission’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, whose message departed sharply from the bureaucratic language traditionally associated with post-Hajj reviews.

Instead of defending shortcomings, he acknowledged them.

Instead of shifting responsibility, he embraced institutional accountability.

And instead of promising incremental improvements, he unveiled an ambitious reform blueprint aimed at transforming Nigeria’s pilgrimage management into one of the most transparent and professionally regulated systems on the continent.

The Chairman admitted that although the 2026 Hajj recorded significant achievements-including orderly airlift operations, improved visa processing through Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk platform, enhanced medical services and stronger coordination among stakeholders-the exercise also exposed painful deficiencies.

Cases of pilgrims circumventing mandatory medical screening, lapses in catering services in the Masha’er, gaps in contractor compliance and avoidable shortcomings in accommodation and transportation all came under scrutiny.

‘We will not hide behind our successes,’ Ambassador Yusuf declared.

It was perhaps the most defining statement of the summit.

More remarkable was the Commission’s announcement that the era of contractual impunity had officially ended.

For years, complaints against some Hajj service providers often disappeared into administrative files with little consequence. That culture, NAHCON insists, is over.

The Commission disclosed that it has already commenced reconciliation with Saudi-based contractors while invoking accountability clauses contained in service agreements to ensure defaulting providers face sanctions.

The warning was unequivocal.

‘Performance will henceforth determine patronage.’

Behind that declaration lies a broader philosophy-that every naira paid by Nigerian pilgrims must translate into measurable value, and every contract must carry enforceable obligations rather than ceremonial signatures.

The reform vision extends far beyond sanctions.

NAHCON unveiled an eight-point agenda that seeks to fundamentally modernise Hajj administration through early planning, stronger financial governance, digital innovation, professional regulation and institutional transparency.

Among its most ambitious proposals is the creation of a single National Pilgrimage Digital Platform that will integrate Hajj and Umrah registration, payment verification, service monitoring and pilgrim management into one transparent ecosystem.

The initiative aligns Nigeria with Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding Vision 2030 reforms, which have transformed Hajj administration into one of the world’s largest digitally managed pilgrimage systems.

Ambassador Yusuf warned that countries unwilling to embrace technology risk being left behind.

‘Nigeria cannot afford to be a spectator,’ he cautioned.

Early preparation also forms a cornerstone of the reform agenda.

With Saudi authorities requiring registration processes for the 2027 Hajj to be substantially completed by September 2026, NAHCON says planning can no longer begin months before departure.

Instead, pilgrimage administration must become a year-round institutional process rather than a seasonal emergency.

The summit also witnessed robust intellectual engagement from some of the country’s most respected public administrators.

Former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, challenged Nigeria to rethink the entire governance architecture of Hajj administration.

Rather than functioning simultaneously as regulator and operator, he argued that NAHCON should concentrate on setting standards, enforcing compliance and sanctioning erring operators, while licensed tour operators and State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards manage frontline service delivery.

His recommendations went beyond institutional restructuring.

He advocated compulsory professional certification for Hajj managers, stronger regulatory institutions, greater transparency in public administration and a digital transition that remains inclusive of elderly pilgrims, rural communities and less technologically literate Nigerians.

Technology, he argued, should reduce inequality rather than deepen it.

Professor Oloyede also reiterated his long-held position that Hajj should not be subsidised by government, maintaining that Islamic injunctions make the pilgrimage obligatory only upon those who possess the financial capacity to undertake it.

Representing the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Muhammad Hameem Nuhu Sanusi, praised NAHCON for its willingness to publicly acknowledge operational shortcomings instead of concealing them.

He urged stricter supervision of contractors and reminded administrators that Hajj management is ultimately a sacred trust requiring sincerity, integrity and accountability.

The reform conversation also received strong political backing.

Representing Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Special Adviser on General Duties, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar, said the proposed reforms align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, insisting that every institutional decision must ultimately improve the experience of the Nigerian pilgrim.

His message was simple yet profound: the true measure of Hajj administration is not the number of meetings convened or committees established, but the quality of service experienced by the pilgrim.

Earlier, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, called for stronger collaboration among governments, regulatory agencies, service providers, religious leaders and State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards to reposition Nigeria’s Hajj industry as a model of excellence.

She observed that every Nigerian pilgrim deserves a Hajj experience characterised by dignity, safety, comfort and professionalism, noting that lasting reforms can only emerge through honest evaluation, institutional cooperation and global best practices.

The summit concluded with a broad consensus that the future of Nigeria’s Hajj administration must be built on transparency, accountability, professionalism and innovation.

For NAHCON, however, the challenge begins after the applause.

Reform blueprints are easy to announce.

Implementation is where institutions earn credibility.

If faithfully executed, the Commission’s eight-point agenda could mark the most significant transformation in Nigeria’s Hajj administration since the establishment of NAHCON itself.

For the Nigerian pilgrim, that transformation would mean something profoundly simple: less anxiety, better service, greater transparency and a pilgrimage whose administrative experience finally reflects the spiritual dignity of the sacred journey itself.

The 2026 World Cup closing ceremony has kicked off at New York New Jersey Stadium with performances from streamer IShowSpeed and singer Post Malone.

IShowSpeed opened the show alongside drummers and dancers in vibrant tracksuits.

Rapper Post Malone followed with a performance of his hit song ‘Wow’.

More than 80,000 fans, celebrities and foreign dignitaries are expected to attend Sunday’s final between Spain and Argentina.

The pre-match entertainment will also feature actor Tom Cruise alongside singers Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini and Nicole Scherzinger.

The star-studded line-up continues at half-time with performances by Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and BTS.

Madonna is set to perform on the heels of her album ‘Confessions II’ topping the Billboard 200 in July.

The record marked her return as the best-selling female artist of all time.

Justin Bieber also returns to a major stage after headlining Coachella this year, his first big performance in four years since pausing his Justice tour for health reasons.

Colombian star Shakira and Nigerian singer Burna Boy will reunite on stage after performing together at the tournament’s opening ceremony in Mexico City last month.

Their collaboration ‘Dai Dai’ has been a global chart hit and a fixture in stadiums throughout the tournament.

K-Pop group BTS will also perform after returning from a three-year hiatus to complete mandatory military service in South Korea.

The group is currently on an 85-date world tour.

FIFA said the half-time show will last 11 minutes as part of a 20-25 minute break.

Curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, the Super Bowl-style performance will raise funds for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aiming to raise $100m (£73m) for children worldwide.

President Bola Tinubu has been a pillar of support for executing all road projects and infrastructure development in Kaduna State over the past three and a half years.

Governor Uba Sani gave testimony at the flagging-off of 11 road projects in the Zaria and Sabon Gari local governments at the Fillin Mallawa over the weekend.

The Governor further said that President Tinubu has facilitated the siting of federal government projects in Kaduna State, such as the Kaduna Light Rail.

While thanking the President, Governor Uba Sani noted that Kaduna and Lagos States are the only beneficiaries of the project, which promises to be a game-changer in mass transit.

He added that the N1 trillion Light Rail Project will commence in the next two months, with contractors already mobilised.

Next week, the groundbreaking of the Mando-Birnin Gwari road, which will stretch from Kaduna to Birnin Gwari town, will be held. The President has paid N100,000,078,000, he disclosed.

According to the Governor, all the developmental projects sited in Kaduna State have been made possible by the people’s support for the state and federal governments.

”So, it is incumbent on us to vote for President Bola Tinubu. We should give him 98% of our votes. That is the only way to reciprocate the President’s good gestures towards Kaduna State,” he added.

Governor Uba Sani, who pleaded with the people of Zaria to re-elect House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, also implored the people of Kaduna State to vote overwhelmingly for the APC in the coming elections.

Speaking on the 11 road projects in both Zaria and Sabon Gari local governments, which he flagged off, the Governor promised they would be commissioned within the next five months.

He said that the ground-breaking ceremony marks another important milestone in the Urban Renewal and Rural Transformation Programme.

The Governor pointed out that the project ”reaffirms our unwavering commitment to building infrastructure that expands opportunity, stimulates economic growth, and improves the quality of life of our people.”

”Roads are far more than stretches of asphalt. They are the arteries through which the life of every society flows. They connect communities to opportunities, farmers to markets, businesses to customers, students to schools, patients to healthcare, and families to one another,” he noted.

According to the Governor, ”where infrastructure is strong, commerce flourishes, investment follows, and hope takes root.”

He recalled that ”from the very first day of our administration, we resolved that infrastructure would serve not merely as a public works programme, but as a powerful instrument for inclusive development and shared prosperity.”

The Governor disclosed that his administration has ”initiated 150 road projects covering more than 1,355 kilometres, with the overwhelming majority already completed.”

”These projects reflect our determination to ensure that development is driven not by geography, politics or identity, but by fairness, equity and the legitimate aspirations of our people,” he added.

In his speech, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas noted that President Tinubu has an exceptional love for Kaduna State, adding that he has done what no president has done for the State.

He said there was only one federal university in Kaduna State, created in 1963 by the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello.

Since then, until the present administration, no president or Head of State has come close to bringing any tertiary institution of that magnitude.

”But today, the story is different under President Tinubu; he has upgraded our Federal College of Education to Federal University of Education, making two universities within Zaria township,” he noted.

The Speaker further said that Tinubu established a new Federal University of Applied Sciences and ”just three weeks ago, he converted another institute belonging to the Petroleum Training Institute to a university.”

”Just last week, he told me that he is also planning to upgrade Kaduna Polytechnic to a Federal University of Technology within the next few months,” he revealed.

According to the House Speaker, converting Kaduna Polytechnic into a university will increase the number of universities in Kaduna State to five.

Police in Anambra State have arrested four suspected kidnappers involved in separate kidnapping and armed robbery incidents across the State.

Command Spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga, who disclosed this on Sunday, said one of the suspects, Okoye Ibegbunam Chukwuebuka John Bosco, 32, alias ‘Bone,’ was arrested by operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Awkuzu.

He said the arrest was part of an ongoing investigation into the kidnapping of a victim at Okpanam, Asaba, Delta State, who was abducted, robbed, and forced to pay a ransom before regaining his freedom.

According to him, operatives, while searching the suspect, recovered one locally fabricated pistol, two live rounds of ammunition, one axe, and one Itel Android phone with the victim’s photograph as its screensaver.

He added that the suspect allegedly confessed to his involvement in the crime and that efforts are underway to apprehend other members of the gang currently at large.

He said, ‘In a related development, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, in collaboration with detectives from the Ogbaru Divisional Police Headquarters, foiled a suspected kidnap plot at Ogbaru on the evening of July 16, 2026.

‘The team arrested three male suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate and recovered a black Toyota Camry with tinted glasses and Lagos Reg. number LND 789HR, believed to have been used by the gang for its operations.

‘The suspects are: Chekwube Chukwu, 32 years; Amarachukwu Nwobosi, 34 years; and Sopuluchukwu Ifeakor, 30 years, respectively.’

‘A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were intercepted while attempting to abduct a female POS operator at Iyiowa, Odekpe, Atani, on the morning of July 16, 2026.

‘The victim raised an alarm, which drew residents’ attention and prompted a swift Police response following a distress call.

‘The timely intervention frustrated the kidnapping attempt, resulting in the victim’s rescue and the subsequent arrest of the suspects.

‘Further investigation linked the suspects to the earlier kidnapping of another female POS operator at Dominion Park, Head Bridge, Onitsha, on June 3, 2026, during which she was abducted, robbed of two POS machines and Android phones, and compelled to pay a ransom of N3,500,000 before she was released.

‘During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to their involvement in the crimes.

‘They are currently providing useful information to assist the Police in identifying and arresting their criminal receivers and other members of the syndicate operating within the State.

‘These operations underscore the Command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and improving public safety.

‘The Command further urges members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to support the Police with timely and credible information to enhance security across the State.’State.’

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has recorded major breakthroughs in its nationwide offensive against terrorism and violent crime, including the dismantling of a suspected terrorist network in Imo State.

The police also arrested 17 suspects linked to cultism, murder, infanticide, armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms and railway vandalism across five states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to a statement released on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Iniedu, the operations carried out within the last 24 hours also led to the recovery of firearms, live ammunition, suspected terrorist materials, military and police uniforms, and a stolen vehicle.

The police said the most significant operation took place in Imo State, where operatives of the Police’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) raided a suspected terrorist hideout at Eziudo in Ezinihite Mbaise Local Government Area.

Four armed suspects were arrested during the operation.

From the hideout, three pump-action guns, 30 live cartridges, Biafran flags, military and police uniforms, recruitment forms, charms and photographs of purported leaders were recovered.

According to the police, the suspects confessed to ongoing recruitment activities and involvement in multiple terrorist attacks across Imo State.

In another operation in Owerri, police arrested five suspected cultists, including 23-year-old Opara Ikechi, at Bishop’s Court.

The operatives recovered four locally fabricated pistols, 31 rounds of live ammunition, a dagger and a suspected confraternity scarf.

The suspects are under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

In Benue State, police arrested Nancy Sunday for allegedly killing her one-month-old stepdaughter by smashing the infant’s head while the child’s mother, Miracle Sunday, was away in Anambra State.

Police processed the crime scene and evacuated the baby’s body to the Teaching Hospital Morgue in Aliade for autopsy, while detectives at the SCID in Makurdi have commenced an investigation.

In Lagos State, detectives arrested Damilare Oladuni Orija for allegedly stabbing a 19-year-old, identified simply as Jide, to death with a pair of scissors during an altercation at Agboyi 1, Alapere-Ketu.

The victim’s body was at a public morgue, and the case has been transferred to the SCID, Panti.

In Ebonyi State, police arrested 22-year-old Ezekiel Francis Akam, who is wanted in connection with an armed robbery that occurred in December 2025.

He was tracked to his hideout in Oriuzor, Ezza North Local Government Area, following intelligence provided by local vigilantes.

The suspect allegedly attempted to escape but was apprehended with suspected cartridge wounds to his left leg.

A battle axe was recovered from his residence, and he was taken to the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (FETHA 2) for treatment before interrogation.

In Akwa Ibom State, police arrested Divine Effiong Udo, 33, after responding to reports of gunshots in Ikot Obong Otor village.

A single-barrel gun and two expended cartridges were recovered from him, and detectives have launched a manhunt for other suspected gang members.

In the Federal Capital Territory, police recovered an abandoned Peugeot 406, registration number GWA 124 GP, from the basement of 21st Mall in Gwarinpa after it had remained unclaimed for 15 days.

The vehicle has been taken into police custody as investigators work to establish ownership.

Also in Abuja, two suspects, Ikoh Precious, 26, and Fabian Agaar, 30, were arrested for allegedly vandalising critical railway infrastructure.

Police alleged that the suspects ignored repeated warnings from members of the community, forced an oncoming train to make an emergency stop, and incited a crowd after carrying out the act.

Police said the suspects are currently under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department of the FCT Police Command.

The NPF said investigations into all the cases were ongoing and reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining nationwide operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks, combating terrorism, and protecting lives and critical national infrastructure.

Spain dominated the individual awards at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Argentina 1-0 in Sunday’s final to lift their second world title.

The newly crowned world champions swept three of FIFA’s major individual honours, with Rodri, Unai Simón and Pau Cubarsí all recognised for their outstanding performances throughout the tournament.

Rodri was named the Player of the Tournament after orchestrating Spain’s midfield with a series of commanding displays that helped La Roja complete an unbeaten campaign. The Manchester City midfielder also set a new World Cup record by completing 648 passes during the tournament.

Here are the awards:

1. Young Player of the Tournament – Pau Cubarsi (Spain)

2. Goalkeeper of the Tournament – Unai Simon (Spain)

3. Player of the Tournament – Rodri (Spain)

The purpose of this discussion is to clarify the bill the Senate passed before our recent recess. This was an Executive Bill sponsored by President Bola Tinubu following extensive consultations with key stakeholders nationwide.

For years, Nigerians have agitated for the establishment of state police through constitutional amendment. During the review exercise in the Ninth Senate, similar proposals were introduced but failed to secure the required votes. Since then, the agitation has intensified. Many Nigerians are convinced that strengthening our security architecture requires a tiered system in which state policing operates alongside the federal structure.

As a democratic institution, we must listen to the people. Several bills on this subject were introduced in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. These were subjected to comprehensive public hearings across the six geopolitical zones, during which state governments, civil society organisations, security experts, and professional bodies made their cases.

While that process was ongoing, President Tinubu engaged deeply with the Inspector-General of Police and other security experts before forwarding this carefully drafted bill. The proposal reflects those consultations and balances the two major schools of thought. One group believes state police will drastically improve the fight against insecurity; the other fears it could be weaponized for political persecution or ethnic intimidation. The President deserves commendation for this bill, which addresses both. It creates the necessary local force while providing strong constitutional safeguards against abuse. This is why the proposal received such overwhelming bipartisan support.

That has historically been the primary concern. The bill ensures that no governor will have absolute or unchecked control over a state police command.

First, appointments to the leadership of a State Police Service will not be at the sole discretion of the governor. The State Police Service Commission will make appointments based on recommendations from the National Police Council. This Council comprises the President, the 36 state governors, the Inspector-General of Police, and other seasoned professionals. This structure guarantees a high level of professionalism in the appointment process.

Furthermore, those appointed will enjoy legal protections to insulate them from political interference while carrying out their constitutional duties. Operationally, state police will be guided by both the Constitution and Acts of the National Assembly. While State Houses of Assembly may enact additional regulations, those laws cannot conflict with federal legislation.

Most importantly, if a state police service acts in a manner that threatens national security, violates constitutional provisions, or undermines Nigeria’s sovereignty, the Federal Government has the power to intervene. In extreme circumstances, the President may suspend the operations of the affected state police service. During this time, the Federal Police Service will temporarily assume responsibility for policing in that state. These layers of oversight make systemic abuse extremely difficult.

We have learned from the failures of the SIEC model, and that experience informed the drafting of this bill. A major innovation here is the introduction of a ‘national minimum operational standard’ that every state police service must meet. This benchmark will be enshrined in an Act of the National Assembly.

No state police service will be allowed to operate below this national standard. While state legislatures have the flexibility to address local security challenges, they cannot enact laws that contradict the Constitution or federal statutes. Any conflicting state provision would automatically be null and void. This framework ensures a uniform professional standard across the federation.

Those specific details will be codified in the implementing legislation once the constitutional amendment process is finalised. Broadly speaking, the Federal Police Service will continue to manage national security, interstate crimes, cybercrime, terrorism, and organised crime with international implications.

State police services will focus primarily on maintaining law and order within their borders, protecting local lives and property, and enforcing state laws. The implementing law will clearly define funding arrangements, command structures, and intelligence-sharing protocols. Our goal is to eliminate institutional rivalry and prevent the intelligence gaps that often undermine effective policing.

Because effective policing is fundamentally built on local knowledge, personnel who know the terrain, speak the language, and are familiar with the residents are naturally better positioned to detect and combat criminal activity.

The Federal Police Service will remain a vital institution, but complementing it with personnel who understand the local environment will strengthen our overall defences. Take Zamfara State, for example; officers who are intimately familiar with the forests and communities where bandits operate are better equipped to support security operations than someone posted from a distant region. This local knowledge, paired with federal resources, will yield better outcomes. This model has been used successfully in many federal systems worldwide, and we are confident Nigeria can make it work.

It is a combination of political will and meticulous planning. President Tinubu has demonstrated a clear commitment to this reform. The National Assembly is equally dedicated. We also see significant support from state governors and active participation from the security agencies themselves. We all agree the status quo is no longer sustainable.

The Senate has passed the bill. Once the House of Representatives concludes its consideration, the proposal will be transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly. For a constitutional amendment to pass, it requires concurrence from at least 24 states.

While I cannot provide an exact timeline-as each legislative house is independent-there is a strong sense of urgency among all stakeholders. After the constitutional amendment is ratified, the National Assembly will move to enact the comprehensive implementing legislation. This will address the ‘nuts and bolts’ of the system-funding, administration, and command structures-providing the final blueprint for state police across the federation.