NEWS

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, has defended the proposed State Police Bill, assuring Nigerians that adequate constitutional safeguards have been included to prevent governors and political actors from using state police as private security outfits.  GeographicReference Abbas spoke on the issue on Wednesday, July 15 at the National Security Roundtable held as part of activities marking the 2026 National Assembly Open Week. The Speaker acknowledged concerns that state police could be abused by governors or political leaders but said the proposed legislation was deliberately structured to prevent such occurrences. “I understand the concern that many people bring to this discussion, and it is a reasonable one. It is the fear that a State...

The Ebonyi State Police Command has demanded an autopsy on the body of a 26-year-old nurse, Miss Mary Habila, who reportedly d!ed at the country home of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state. In a statement released on Wednesday, July 15, the command's spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, said it was awaiting the deceased’s family to proceed with the post-mortem examination as part of its ongoing investigation into her death. Ukandu mentioned that the command received a distress call on June 27, 2026, from the Divisional Police Officer of Ohaozara Division, reporting a medical emergency involving the deceased and requesting his presence at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu. “On arrival, the DPO was informed by hosp...

President Tinubu says Nigeria’s economy is making serious foundational progress despite the difficulty of the reforms his administration has embarked upon since it assumed office in 2023.  Africans& Diaspora A statement released by presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, quoted the President as saying this while speaking in a meeting held in the State House, Abuja, on Wednesday, July 15. “Yes, reforms are difficult. It has not been a McDonald’s customer relationship but a harvester of good things, if implemented well, and that is what we are about. The reforms on revenue will continue to stimulate growth. And the effect of the reform? Yes, some issues are difficult, taking the bitter medicine, but it is working well. “For the economy, Nigeria is making serious found...

A Point of Sale (POS) operator has reportedly been found dead after an alleged assault in the Sangotedo area of Ajah, Lagos State. According to reports circulating on social media, the victim was allegedly attacked under circumstances that are yet to be fully established before being discovered lifeless. The incident has sparked concern among residents of the community, with many calling for a thorough investigation to determine what led to the tragic development and ensure those responsible are brought to justice. As of the time of filing this report, the identity of the deceased had not been officially confirmed, while the Lagos State Police Command had yet to issue a statement on the incident. Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged ...

The United States struck Iran and Tehran hit back at US allies in the Gulf on Thursday, as the foes battled over the vital Strait of Hormuz in the renewed Middle East war. The key oil and gas artery, which Iran insists it controls, is central to the rekindled fighting that has entered its sixth day despite the foes’ preliminary deal in June aiming to end the war. US forces hit Iranian military targets in multiple locations, including coastal Bandar Abbas, to “degrade Iran’s ability to threaten innocent mariners” in the Strait of Hormuz, Central Command (CENTCOM) said. Earlier strikes had targeted coastal defence and cruise missile sites on Greater Tunb Island in the Gulf, CENTCOM added. Iran’s official IRNA news agency reported explosions in several areas of the country...

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has released activists Randy Peter and Mama Pee after both honoured an invitation by the anti-graft agency in Abuja. The activists were released shortly after midnight on Wednesday following several hours of questioning and were asked to return to the commission’s office on Thursday, according to their colleague, Justice Cracks. Justice Crack, who accompanied the duo to the EFCC headquarters, disclosed the development in a post on X on Wednesday. “My dear brother, @Peter4Nigeria, and my sister, @MamaPee__ were invited by the @officialEFCC. I personally accompanied them there on the afternoon of 15th July 2026, at about 1:00 p.m. It was a very long day,” Justice Crack said. He said the activists were eventually allowed to leav...

Nigeria has intensified efforts to tackle the growing challenge of drug misuse while ensuring that patients who require controlled medicines for pain relief, mental health treatment and palliative care continue to get safe and timely access to them, the World Health Organisation has said. WHO disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday following the National Drug Use Summit, which brought together government officials, security agencies, development partners, civil society organisations and health experts to strengthen the country’s response to substance abuse. Drug abuse has remained a major public health concern in Nigeria, particularly among young people, with authorities repeatedly warning about the widespread misuse of opioids such as tramadol, codeine-based cough syrups an...

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has announced the release of the list of 50,000 successful applicants recruited into the Nigeria Police Force. The commission disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Head of Protocol and Public Relations, Torty Njoku Kalu, following the completion of the written examination and other stages of the recruitment exercise. According to the PSC, the recruitment process was conducted in a comprehensive, transparent, inclusive and equitable manner, with the participation of key government agencies and stakeholders. The commission stated that the exercise was carried out in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Character Commission, the Ministry of Police Affairs, state career and counselling departments, as well as t...

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured a final court order forfeiting 48 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. The ruling was delivered on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The court held that the EFCC successfully established reasonable grounds to believe the properties were proceeds of unlawful activities and were not acquired through legitimate sources of income. Justice Abdulmalik stated that the key issue before the court was not who owned the properties, but whether the funds used to acquire them were lawful. Invoking Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, the judge granted the EFCC's applica...

The Nigerian Senate has approved a ₦50 million donation to the families of those who lost their lives during the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The announcement was made on Wednesday during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who described the victims' deaths as a tragic sacrifice in the country's ongoing battle against insecurity. Akpabio disclosed that each of the five affected families would receive ₦10 million. The beneficiaries include the families of two teachers killed by the abductors and three security personnel who died while carrying out the rescue operation. He explained that the financial support is intended to provide relief to the bereaved families while honouring the courage and sacrifice of the deceased. ...