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How bandit commander killed traditional ruler, others

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 •As Lakurawa, bandits, kidnappers go on rampage in N-West •Village head, others flee Sokoto communities, as bandits, sack villages •Kogi govt vows to deal with youths aiding and abetting banditry •No nation grows when citizens live in perpetual fear —Peter Obi A gang led by Ado Aliero, a top bandit commander, said to be midwifing a peace dialogue in the North West, has slaughtered a traditional ruler in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, in a shocking escalation of violence in the region. This is even as a wave of terror has swept through Kebbe and Tambuwal Local Government Areas of Sokoto State, as heavily armed Lakurawa insurgents and kidnappers have, in the last 48 hours, unleashed coordinated attacks that have left entire communities deserted, families displaced, and lives shattered. Meanhwile, Kogi State government has vowed to treat as terrorist any youth in the state who indulged in aiding and abetting bandits to cause mayhem on innocent citizens. The presidentia...

Bonfire Tragedy: UNN condemns infiltration of varsity by miscreants

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THE Management of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka on Sunday, condemned the infiltration of the University by miscreants. The condemnation came on the heels of violence, which claimed the life of a businessman, identified as Chiebonam Nweze, after he attended a bonfire night organised by the Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, UNN, on Friday night. Recall that the victim was stabbed to death on the UNN campus when he was assailed by suspects who are now being investigated by the police in Enugu. Meanwhile, while reassuring on the safety of  the environment, UNN Management, in a statement released on Sunday through the Acting Public Relations Officer, Inya Egwu, has banned students’ social activities beyond 6 PM on the campuses at Nsukka, Enugu metropolis, and Ituku Ozalla. Part of the statement read “The Management of the University of Nigeria wishes to inform the public of an unfortunate incident that occurred on Friday, 12th September 2025, during a   bonfi...

2027: Zoning stirs tension in PDP

*Opposition’s prospects brighten as INEC recognises David Mark-led ADC *Jonathan, Kwankwaso deepen negotiations Confusion over micro-zoning of key offices in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has unsettled members and heightened internal tensions as the party struggles to agree on how to share leadership positions, ahead of its November national convention and the 2027 general polls. Indeed, the party is facing internal tensions after stakeholders in Lagos and Osun states rejected it’s zoning formula and declared support for business leader, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, as their preferred presidential candidate. Meanwhile, prospects of coalition-backed African Democratic Congress, ADC, in the build-up to the 2027 general elections brightened, yesterday, with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC’s, official recognition of former Senate President, Senator David Mark, as national chairman of the party. The recognition, after a period of intense dispute and procedural delays t...

Customs confirms over 500,000 applications for 3,927 vacancies

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By Ajigbotesho Idowu with Vanguard report THE Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has disclosed that it received 573,523 applications for its 3,927 vacancies. In a statement by the agency's spokesman, Mr. Abdullahi Maiwada, said that in line with its statutory mandate to strengthen manpower capacity and enhance service delivery, a total of 3,927 vacancies were declared across the Superintendent, Inspectorate, and Customs Assistant cadres. The statement said after a rigorous documentary scrutiny, 286,697 candidates were invited to proceed to the next phase. The statement reads: "The Service received a total of 573,523 applications during the first phase of the exercise. After a rigorous documentary scrutiny, 286,697 candidates were invited to proceed to the next phase. The second stage of the exercise, scheduled to take place from September 14 to 21, 2025, will be conducted through an online Computer-Based Test, CBT, reflecting the Service's commitment to transparency, accessibi...

Governor's Road residents protest ongoing power outage

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Residents of Governor's Road, Ikotun in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, have protested the continued power outage in the area for over 10 days. Speaking on behalf of Governor Road Residents, Ikotun, the chairman of Igando Peace Estate Phase IV, CDA, Engr. Emmanuel Joseph noted that the outage has caused untold hardship to households and businesses, disrupted daily activities of the residents of the area Joseph in the statement said: "We are speaking out regarding the persistent power outage we have experienced for over 10 days without any formal communication or update from Ikeja Electric to the consumers affected. "This prolonged blackout has caused untold hardship to households and businesses, disrupted daily activities, and subjected existing electrical infrastructure within our community to potential damage due to the irregular supply pattern. Many residents have had to resort to alternative sources of energy at great financial and environmental cost. ...

FG gazettes tax reform laws, implementation begins January 2026

 *Oyedele defends 5% fuel surcharge, says not to burden Nigerians THE Federal Government has no immediate plan to implement the 5 percent Petroleum Products Tax as contained in the Tax Administration Act, 2025.   The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, stated this at a press briefing in Abuja, yesterday. The tax has generated wide-spread anger among Nigerians, with organised labour giving the government an ultimate to step it down or face an industrial action.   Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, said the proposed fuel surcharge is intended to generate a dedicated fund for Nigeria’s deteriorating roads, not to add extra strain on households. However, Edun described the surcharge as a long-standing provision introduced under the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) Act 2007 and not a new tax measure created by the Tinubu administration. His words, ...

NLC to FG: Emulate states that pay above N70,000 minimum wage

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•Says no road safety without fair wages •Laments highways becoming corridors of death THE Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has taunted the federal Government over its continued payment of what it described as poverty wages, challenging it to emulate state governments that have already increased workers’ salaries in line with prevailing economic realities. In a paper sent to the 8th Annual Lecture Series of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, at State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, declared that Nigeria could not achieve meaningful road safety without fair wages for FRSC officers and Nigerian workers. He declared:  “We demand a pay rise for officers, rank-and-file members of the FRSC, and indeed all Nigerian workers—not the brazen and insensitive attempt to further fatten the pockets of political office holders.  "FRSC officers, who risk their lives daily on our highways and stand for long hours under scorching sun and pounding rain, dese...