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A police constable serving in Benue State has been taken into custody after authorities intercepted a package containing a locally fabricated pistol, suspected Indian hemp, gunpowder, and other items allegedly destined for a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member at the orientation camp in Jos, Plateau State.
The arrest followed a security alert on June 21 around 2:30 p.m., when personnel responded to a report at a motor park, according to information shared by security analyst Zagazola Makama on Sunday.
“According to a police sources, a yet-to-be-identified young man had brought two sacks containing tubers of yam, suspected Indian hemp, a locally made pistol, and gunpowder to the park for shipment to one Gedor, said to be serving at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Jos,” Makama reported.
The sender, realizing that the items had raised suspicion, reportedly reached out to Police Constable attached to the X-Squad unit in Makurdi, in an effort to get the consignment cleared and dispatched.
“However, when Justice noticed there was trouble with the delivery, he allegedly contacted his friend, Police Constable Ageli George, attached to the X-Squad unit in Makurdi, to intervene and ensure the items were sent successfully.
“Before PC George could arrive at the park, the sender, sensing danger, fled the premises and has since gone into hiding,” the report continued.
The constable was apprehended at the scene, and authorities confirmed the recovery of the firearm and other items. He remains in custody while the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) carries out further investigations.
“The police sources confirmed that the constable, along with the recovered locally made pistol and other exhibits, is currently in custody. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has commenced a thorough investigation into the matter,” Makama said.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has denied reports suggesting he and his political allies have formally adopted the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) as their new platform ahead of the 2027 elections.
Demola Olarenwaju, Atiku’s Special Assistant on Digital Media Strategy, clarified on Saturday that while discussions are ongoing within the Nigeria National Coalition Group (NNCG), no final decision has been made regarding ADA’s adoption.
“A group is in the process of pursuing party registration, just like any other Nigerian, but they need to coordinate this with the coalition,” Olarenwaju wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
He added: “ADA has not been adopted by the coalition, and when the time is right, the public will be informed about the appropriate choices and decisions. Just be patient with that.”
His remarks come days after the NNCG reportedly submitted an application to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seeking to register ADA as a political party, sparking reactions from within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Several PDP governors and party stalwarts are said to be uneasy about Atiku’s perceived plans to involve the party in a new coalition, particularly as internal rifts remain unresolved. The PDP, which propelled Atiku to the vice presidency from 1999 to 2003 and backed his 2023 presidential bid, is facing mounting internal and external challenges.
Sources within the party suggest Atiku and his key supporters may soon leave the PDP officially — a move that, along with the potential exit of other prominent figures like former Senate President David Mark and ex-House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, could further destabilize the party.
Mark reportedly chaired the recent NNCG meeting where the decision to seek ADA’s registration was made. Should the new platform gain traction, insiders believe a wave of defections from PDP could follow.
Atiku, who has contested the presidency six times between 1993 and 2023, appears to be preparing for a seventh run in 2027. Supporters say his influence remains strong, especially in the North and South East.
Professor Tunde Olusunle, a close ally and lecturer at the University of Abuja, defended Atiku’s role in the current turbulence facing the PDP.
“The defections of two PDP governors, Sheriff Oborevwori and Umo Eno of Delta and Akwa Ibom states, haven’t rattled the foundations of the PDP as much as apprehensions about Atiku’s possible move,” Olusunle said.“It just shows the quantum goodwill Atiku still musters in the political space, which has sustained the continued stay of many in the party.”
He continued: “Atiku is a pioneer member of the PDP; the history of the party in the past 27 years cannot be written without tacit acknowledgement of his invaluable contributions to the evolution of the party.”
Party tensions have recently intensified due to disagreements over Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s role as PDP National Secretary. This has threatened plans for the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for June 30 and a national convention in August. However, efforts to restore order are reportedly underway through the Saraki-led Peace and Reconciliation Committee.
A party source noted: “Before the ADA issue that just came up, the frictions tied to some stakeholders’ refusal to recognise Anyanwu’s position as National Secretary had seriously endangered the plan for the June 30 NEC meeting, preparations for a national convention in August and even steps towards the 2027 general elections.”
Meanwhile, tensions between factions aligned with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and other party actors persist. Wike is backed by a Supreme Court judgment affirming Anyanwu’s legitimacy, while the party’s legal adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, has reportedly withdrawn from the internal conflict.
“The most logical step now is for the two major contending sides to allow the Saraki Committee broker peace,” the source said.
Olusunle further argued that those undermining Atiku within the party are responsible for the crisis.“In the aftermath of the 2022 presidential primary of the PDP, certain tendencies and interests in the party have pursued the systematic degradation of the party; they had been gnawing at the roots of the party from within, while equally throwing barbs and missiles from within,” he said.“There’s public outcry about the imperative for an alternative platform which can help the actualization of the people for genuine democratic governance; it is instructive that there are fears about the potential weakening of the PDP in the event of Atiku’s identification with the coalition being mooted.”
(NATION)
Major players in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, have increased the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) across the country.
One of the players, MRS Oil, jerked up pump price to N925 per litre in Lagos, up from its previous price of N885.
This move follows a recent upward adjustment in the ex-depot price by the Dangote Refinery, which raised its rate from N825 to N880 on Friday.
In a post shared on its X handle on Saturday, MRS announced that the price of petrol would be N955 per litre in the Southeast region.
The company also released a new pricing structure across various states: residents of Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti are to pay N935 per litre; in the North East, the rate stands at N955; while those in the North West and North Central will pay N945 per litre.
It was gathered that MRS is a leading distributor of products from the Dangote Refinery.
Other marketers sourcing supply from the refinery, including Heyden and AP, are also expected to review their pump prices upwards in the coming days.
Prior to this, fuel importers had already adjusted their prices to reflect the rising cost of crude oil globally.
Nigeria’s primary crude grades—Bonny Light, Brass River, and Qua Iboe—recently surged to about $79 per barrel, maintaining that trend through the week. The price rally followed escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly after Israeli strikes in Iran, which sparked concerns over broader regional instability.
As of Saturday, data from Oilprice.com showed Bonny Light trading at $78.62 per barrel, while Brass River and Qua Iboe hovered around $79. Brent crude hit $77 and WTI reached $73.84 per barrel, up from recent lows of around $65.
These levels now exceed Nigeria’s 2025 budget benchmark of $75 per barrel, suggesting a possible temporary fiscal advantage for the government.
Industry analysts had earlier cautioned that rising international crude prices would likely drive up domestic fuel costs, with refiners passing on the increased expense of crude—the fundamental input for petrol and diesel—to consumers.
Starting from Monday, major depots began adjusting pump prices upwards in response to the crude market surge. PMS prices rose from N825 to N840 at the beginning of the week. Rainoil implemented a N50 increase, moving from N850 to N900 per litre. Fynefield and Mainland followed suit, raising their ex-depot rates to N930 and N920, marking hikes of N51 and N63 respectively.
Other depot prices as of Monday included Sigmund at N920 per litre, Matrix Warri at N910, NIPCO at N895 (up from N827), and Aiteo at N840, according to Petroleumprice.com.
In a dramatic escalation of military tensions in the Middle East, the United States has carried out airstrikes on several Iranian nuclear facilities, with President Donald Trump declaring the mission a success and warning Iran against any retaliation.
Speaking from the White House, Trump said the nuclear enrichment facilities in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan had been “completely and totally obliterated.” The strikes mark the first direct U.S. military assault on Iranian territory, intensifying an ongoing conflict that initially erupted between Iran and Israel on June 13.
“There will be either peace or there will be tragedy,” Trump said during his televised address, flanked by Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “Remember, there are many targets left. … [I]f peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill.”
Trump announced the attack earlier on Truth Social. He thanked military personnel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and attributed the mission’s success to cooperation between U.S. and Israeli officials.
Netanyahu praised the U.S. president’s actions, saying, “bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might” of the American military would “change history.”
In a phone interview with NBC News, Trump referred to the mission as both a “great success” and a “complete and total success.”
While details about the extent of damage remain unclear, the strikes represent a strategic risk aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear capabilities without triggering prolonged military engagement. Trump and his advisers appear to believe the operation can remain a limited action, capable of delivering a decisive blow without drawing the U.S. into another drawn-out conflict.
Fordo, one of the primary targets, is known for being fortified deep inside a mountain and likely required the use of the U.S. military’s most powerful bunker-buster, the GBU-57. U.S. officials have not confirmed the munitions used, though B-2 bombers capable of deploying the weapon were observed departing Whiteman Air Force Base earlier in the day.
Even with successful hits, the operation carries the possibility of unintended consequences. Iran may still possess the capacity to respond through asymmetric warfare, including missile strikes or proxy attacks on U.S. interests in the region.
In a follow-up post, Trump issued a stark warning on Truth Social:“ANY RETALIATION BY IRAN AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL BE MET WITH FORCE FAR GREATER THAN WHAT WAS WITNESSED TONIGHT. THANK YOU! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES”
Iran’s history of unconventional responses raises the prospect of retaliation via its network of regional proxies, including Shiite militias in Iraq and the Houthi movement in Yemen. Although Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza—both key Iranian allies—have suffered significant losses in recent Israeli operations, Iran retains the ability to destabilize the region.
There is concern that Iran might respond by targeting U.S. military bases, embassies, or commercial shipping lanes such as the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for global oil shipments. Any disruption there could have far-reaching economic consequences—even for Iran itself.
In the United States, domestic reaction to the strikes split along party lines.House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the administration’s move, warning that “the risk of war has now dramatically increased.”
“President Trump misled the country about his intentions, failed to seek congressional authorization for the use of military force and risks American entanglement in a potentially disastrous war in the Middle East,” Jeffries stated.
Former Obama administration official Tommy Vietor issued a cautionary note about potential Iranian retaliation:“Iran might retaliate today, tomorrow or in months. Or a year from now, Iran or its proxies might blow up a bus filled with American tourists in Cyprus,” Vietor posted on social media. “No one knows what comes next. Bombing Iran started something that we no longer have the capacity to predict or contain.”
Meanwhile, prominent Republicans voiced strong support for Trump’s decision.Sen. Lindsey Graham called it “the right call,” while Sen. Ted Cruz described the action as necessary: “The prospect of the Iranian regime acquiring nuclear weapons represents the most acute immediate threat to America and our allies.”
Sen. John Cornyn labeled the strikes “courageous and correct,” and Sen. Rick Scott said they demonstrated “what peace through strength looks like.”
A fire outbreak aboard a cargo vessel, CHANG MIN, docked at Apapa Port in Lagos on Saturday, was quickly brought under control by emergency teams, averting what could have been a much more damaging incident.
The ship had reportedly arrived at the port earlier that day, carrying a variety of consignments including construction machinery, iron rods, compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks, wooden goods, and tyres before flames broke out onboard.
Thanks to the swift actions of its crew, the vessel was steered safely into the port, enabling immediate intervention from emergency responders.
The ship was berthed at Shed 8 of the ENL Consortium Terminal in Apapa where fire containment operations began.
Personnel from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Fire Unit worked in tandem to extinguish the blaze.
In a statement issued by LASEMA and signed by its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, the fire was detected during the unloading process.
The statement read: “Following distress alerts at 1755hrs, the Lagos State Emergency Management (LASEMA), activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans from the Cobra Base in Onipanu.
“Upon arrival at the scene, a cargo ship CHANG MIN laden with cargo which included CNG trucks, wooden products, tyres and other highly combustible products was observed to have caught fire within section two of the cargo hold.
“Preliminary investigations conducted by Emergency responders at the scene revealed that the fire was observed at the point of unloading and the cause is yet to be ascertained at time of report.
“No life was lost and no injuries were sustained to anyone as all seafarers on board have been accounted for.
“The Cobra response team alongside all other responders at the scene undertook the following actions: Debrief from the Crew on board to give more information to Emergency Response Teams as to the instruction that the compartment be totally shut to eliminate oxygen supply, while initial dampening down was being conducted;
“A fire response plan was agreed upon by Emergency Responders on a method to combat the inferno in the safest possible way to eliminate secondary incidents and also ensure the safety of all fire fighters; Reopening of the cargo hold to enable fire teams engage the inferno; Location of fire and the ship floor plan..”
The fire was completely extinguished and recovery efforts wrapped up, according to the agency. At the time of this report, the exact cause of the fire had not yet been determined.
With President Bola Tinubu’s tenure as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) drawing to a close, preparations are underway for the appointment of a new leader during the upcoming summit in Abuja.
Tinubu assumed the chairmanship on July 9, 2023, during a summit in Guinea Bissau. He was re-elected for a second term on July 7, 2024, in Abuja. His leadership is expected to formally conclude at the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government meeting this weekend, which will be held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa.
During the closing session of the 94th Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers on Friday night, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, acknowledged the approaching leadership transition.
“Let me sincerely appreciate each one of you for your cooperation and support to me over the last two years, as the Chair of this Council.
“As the agenda of the Summit we endorsed indicated the election of a new Chair of Authority, this may be my last Council Session as the Chair of this Council,” Tuggar stated.
Reflecting on his time in the role, Tuggar commended the collaborative efforts of his regional colleagues and emphasized the importance of continuity.
“Over the last two years, I enjoyed a very cordial working relationship with each one of you. I remain very grateful for your unalloyed support for the successes we recorded thus far.
“I hope the same cooperation will be extended to whomever among us is taking over the leadership of this Council,” he added.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Dr. Mkor Aondona, Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Documentation, Research, and Planning, over allegations of sextortion, cyberbullying, and blackmail.
According to a statement released by the anti-graft agency on Saturday, Aondona was taken into custody on Friday, June 20, 2025, in Makurdi following a series of complaints filed by female students who accused him of engaging in unethical and criminal conduct.
“The petitioners alleged that Aondona was routinely recruiting slim and attractive girls for ushering jobs and insisted on sexual favours as a condition for selection.
“Based on this, they became vulnerable to having sexual affairs with him but unknown to them, he had videos of every sexual act without their consent and was always threatening to leak the videos if they refused to continue having sex with him.
“Aondona was also alleged to be involved in blackmail—sending explicit videos of the girls allegedly recorded without their knowledge or consent through several messaging platforms. Some of the videos are said to be in circulation,” the EFCC statement read.
The Commission confirmed that Aondona will be charged to court soon.
The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has approved an increase in the University of Abuja’s (UniAbuja) admission quota for its Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme — raising the number from 75 to 200 students.
The announcement was made on Friday during a visit to the university’s main campus by MDCN Registrar, Professor Fatima Kyari, following a comprehensive re-accreditation exercise carried out by a 17-member MDCN team.
According to a statement signed on Saturday by the university’s Acting Director of Information and University Relations, Dr. Habib Yakoob, the decision followed what was described as a rigorous and objective assessment of the institution’s facilities, personnel, and training capacity.
Professor Kyari commended the university’s strides in improving its infrastructure and training environment but emphasized the need for continued investment in critical areas such as faculty capacity, pathology laboratories, transportation, and clinical skills support.
“When we talk about quota, we are referring to the resource-based carrying capacity. The members of this re-accreditation team are carefully selected professionals, and their assessments were objective, thorough, and constructive.
“Now, let me put it in perspective: for a quota of 150, you need 450 bed spaces for clinical students, and you currently have 360. For 200, you need 600. But we want to align with your growth aspirations. The nation needs more doctors. Abuja is the centre; it should rise to the occasion. So, we are giving you 200,” she said.
Kyari added that the Council would maintain oversight to ensure continuous compliance with standards, while also offering support to strengthen the university’s capacity.
“We are not just here to point out what you have or what is lacking,” she said. “We are here to encourage the University to keep working toward meeting all requirements.”
She noted that the quota upgrade aligns with the federal government’s wider efforts to address the country’s shortage of healthcare professionals and expand access to medical education.
“The Honourable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare has laid out a bold, four-point agenda under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII). At the heart of this is the need to strengthen our healthcare workforce, from training to retention, as the engine for achieving universal health coverage and improved health outcomes for all Nigerians.
“Our task was guided by existing standards, including infrastructure adequacy, faculty strength, student-to-resource ratio, clinical training exposure, and the overall governance structure of the medical school. We also recognise the Presidential vision and the current national imperative to scale up training in response to health workforce shortages, but this must be done in a manner that safeguards patient safety and professional competence,” she stated.
In her response, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Patricia Manko Lar, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the MDCN for its support and transparent assessment process.
“The joy we feel regarding this announcement is boundless. We opened all our doors, there was no cover-up. We did our best, and the constructive feedback from the MDCN will push us to aim even higher.
“We have been working tirelessly to grow this University and ensure our College of Health Sciences meets global standards. I am proud to be leading the University at this critical moment. Even if I am no longer in office when my tenure is completed, I am confident that a solid foundation has been laid, and progress will continue,” she said.
Veteran music producer and Mavin Records founder, Don Jazzy, has opened up about some of his biggest regrets in the Nigerian music industry the superstars he didn’t sign when he had the chance.
In a candid revelation, Don Jazzy admitted he wishes he had brought Simi and Teni into the Mavin Records family, describing both artists as exceptionally talented and full of creative brilliance. According to him, their unique voices and styles made a lasting impression on him, but for one reason or another, the opportunity to sign them never materialized.
He also stunned fans by disclosing that he had the chance to sign Davido early in the singer’s career. However, he ultimately decided against it, believing that Davido was “destined for greatness” and would succeed with or without a record deal from him.
Reflecting on his near miss with rapper Falz, Don Jazzy said a deal almost materialised but ultimately didn’t go through.
As for Wizkid, he explained that the singer was already under the management of another executive at the time, making any potential signing impossible.
Don Jazzy concluded by acknowledging the reality of the industry: “You can’t sign everybody, no matter how talented they are.”
He said, “I like Simi. I didn’t sign her. I wish I did. I like Teni. I wish I did. I had the opportunity for Davido, obviously, but I didn’t because I kind of figured that he would be fine. To Wizkid, obviously, I couldn’t because Banky got to him first. That would have been amazing. Falz, I love his work, and we almost actually had a deal. Well, it didn’t work out. But then at the end of the day, you cannot sign everybody.”