Author: Daily Post Nigeria

Nigeria’s trade surplus rose to N7.549 trillion in the first quarter of 2026 from N34.78 trillion total merchandise in the period.

The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, disclosed this in its Foreign Trade in Goods statistics released on Monday.

The data showed that total exports stood at N21.169 trillion and imports were N13.619 trillion, while recording a trade balance of N7.5 trillion in Q1 2026.

The export trade data reflects a 2.77 percent increase compared with N20,598.48 billion in the corresponding quarter of 2025 and an 11.63 percent increase compared with Q4 2025.

Meanwhile, the value of total imports decreased by 18.17 percent from the value recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2025 (N16,644.42 billion) and a 21.05 percent decrease compared to the value recorded in Q4 2025 (N17,250.93 billion).

“Total exports in Q1 2026 were valued at N21,169.27 billion, reflecting a 2.77 percent increase compared with N20,598.48 billion in the corresponding quarter of 2025, and an 11.63 percent increase compared with N18,963.41 billion in Q4 2025.

“The value of total imports stood at N13,619.33 billion in the first quarter of 2026, representing an 18.17 percent decrease from the value recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2025 (N16,644.42 billion) and a 21.05 percent decrease compared to the value recorded in Q4 2025 (N17,250.93 billion),” NBS stated.

During this period, the top five exported products are crude oil (52.92 percent), natural gas, urea, other petroleum gases, and kerosene jet fuel. While imported products are crude oil, gas oil, durum wheat, machines, and used vehicles.

Nigeria’s trade surplus rises to N7.5tn as imports crash in Q1 2026

 

A married woman identified as Oluchi has been found in a hotel in Delta State after allegedly staging her own abduction and demanding millions of naira in ransom from her family.

The incident came to light after police investigations into a reported kidnapping in Edo State led detectives to a hotel in Ubiaroko, Delta State, where the woman was reportedly discovered with a male companion.

Family members had earlier reported to the police that Oluchi was abducted around the Ikpoba Hill area of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

Following the report, relatives launched efforts to secure her release, while appeals for financial assistance were made to raise a ransom allegedly demanded by her captors. The initial demand was said to be N50 million before it was later reduced to N20 million.

According to a source familiar with the investigation, police tracked the phone number of the man allegedly linked to the case and traced it to the hotel where both individuals were found.

“The police located the suspect in a hotel in Ubiaroko and found the woman there with him. 

Her husband was contacted and informed after they were taken to the station,” the source said.

The source added that the woman allegedly pleaded with her husband not to disclose the circumstances surrounding her disappearance to their children.

Reacting to the development, her daughter, Anita, who resides in Canada, expressed shock and disappointment in a video circulated online.

She said the family had believed the kidnapping claim and had only sought public support to secure her mother’s release.

“My mum has been released. We have now been informed that this was not a genuine kidnapping. I only did what any daughter would do to save her mother. The family is devastated and in shock,” she said.

Anita disclosed that no ransom was paid and that donations already received would be refunded.

She added that the family involved the police from the onset and only later learned that her mother was allegedly involved in orchestrating the incident.

The Harmony Ladies Club, a social group to which Anita belongs, also expressed disappointment over the development.

In a statement, the group said members had provided emotional, logistical and financial support after learning of the alleged abduction, only to discover through investigations that the incident had allegedly been staged.

“It is with a profound sense of betrayal that we learned the kidnapping was allegedly orchestrated by Mrs. Oluchi herself,” the statement said.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command, CSP Eno Ikoedem, said four suspects had been arrested in connection with the case.

“I can confirm the incident and also let you know that four people have been arrested in connection with it,” she said.

Police said investigation is still ongoing 

‎There was mild panic on Monday at the Old Government House, Abakaliki, following the sudden appearance of a stray dog that caused commotion among workers and visitors within the premises.

‎

‎Eyewitnesses said the dog, described as fierce-looking, reportedly wandered into the Government House complex along Ogoja Road during working hours, triggering fear and confusion.

‎

‎The presence of the stray dog temporarily disrupted official activities, as staff members were seen scampering for safety while others attempted to locate and contain the animal.

‎

‎Sources within the Government House said that the dog’s owner was yet to be identified, adding that it appeared disoriented and had been moving around the premises in search of an exit.

‎

‎As of the time of filing this report, efforts were reportedly underway to ensure the dog is safely removed from the Government House environment and normal activities restored.

Stray dog throws Ebonyi Govt House into panic as workers flee for safety

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially unveiled Hon. Damilola Sonayon-James as its Deputy Governorship Candidate for the 2027 Lagos State governorship election.

She will contest alongside the party’s governorship candidate, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, under the APC banner in the forthcoming poll.

Announcing the decision, the Lagos State APC Chairman, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, said the choice of Sonayon-James followed extensive consultations and a rigorous selection process that evaluated competence, leadership capacity, grassroots acceptance, party loyalty, and commitment to the progressive ideals of the APC.

According to Ojelabi, the deputy governorship candidate has consistently demonstrated outstanding dedication to public service, grassroots mobilisation, community development, and the empowerment of women and youths across Lagos State.

He noted that her wealth of experience in governance, policy implementation, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable development positions her well to serve effectively as Deputy Governor.

“The emergence of Hon. Damilola Sonayon-James reflects the party’s determination to present a ticket that embodies experience, innovation, inclusiveness, and visionary leadership,” Ojelabi said.

He expressed confidence that the Hamzat-Sonayon-James ticket would build on the achievements of the current administration while driving the developmental aspirations of Lagos residents.

A respected grassroots politician and development professional, Sonayon-James has over the years been associated with several community empowerment initiatives, educational support programmes, women development projects, youth engagement activities, and other social intervention schemes across the state.

The APC leadership said her nomination further underscores the party’s commitment to inclusive governance, gender representation, and greater participation of young people in the political process.

The party also called on its members, supporters, and the people of Lagos State to unite behind the Hamzat-Sonayon-James ticket ahead of the 2027 governorship election, expressing optimism that the team would deliver a more prosperous future for the state.

An Enugu Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Mbaka, says those who intend to overthrow President Bola Tinubu would not achieve their objective by kidnapping children.

Father Mbaka said this in a video sighted by DAILY POST on Monday. He was reacting to the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo.

He called for urgent action from the authorities while making controversial political claims about insecurity in Nigeria.

He said, “Governor Makinde wake up. Let Nigerians match to Oyo State there’s a governor there. If they want to overthrow Tinubu it’s not by kidnapping our children so that the whole Nigeria will be angry against the President.”

The cleric further alleged a pattern behind national crises, saying it was the same thing they did to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The priest also questioned the motives behind insecurity in the country.

He added, “Then if this one goes who else will come and they’ll support him. Governor Makinde take the phone and trace where they are. I’m speaking on prophetic anger it shall not be well those who are doing this thing because today it’s these children who knows who will be the next victim don’t think you’re safe.”

Watch video

Oyo abduction: ‘If they want to overthrow Tinubu it’s not by kidnapping our children’ — Fr. Mbaka  [VIDEO]

The football world has been thrown into shock with the 2026 World Cup set to kick off on 11 June, as concerns mount over the situation of top African referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan.

Named by FIFA to officiate during the World Cup, the Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to U.S. territory

Due to his difficulties in obtaining a visa, he had benefited from the support of the Somali embassy in Nairobi, which notably enabled him to obtain a diplomatic passport, but that was insufficient for the American authorities, who immediately sent him back.

Recall that, Artan officiated the return leg of last year’s CAF Champions League final between Pyramids FC and Mamelodi Sundowns while being elected best African referee for 2025 by CAF at its Awards held in Rabat, Morocco.

Somalia is among countries facing U.S. travel restrictions, with most Somali nationals barred from obtaining certain visa categories, with limited exemptions for diplomats and cases considered in the U.S. national interest.

Neither FIFA nor the Somali Football Federation has commented on the incident.

Top CAF Referee Denied Entry Into US For W/Cup is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

To help Nigerian businesses combat payment delays and optimize cash flow, FCMB Collect continues to serve as a vital digital payment and collections platform.

By offering robust transaction monitoring across multiple sectors, the platform reinforces the bank’s ongoing commitment to deliver advanced, tech-driven financial support in a challenging economic landscape.

According to FCMB, “FCMB Collect enables businesses to receive payments seamlessly across multiple channels while offering tools for invoice generation, payment tracking, customer reminders, and transaction reconciliation through a centralised dashboard”.

The bank explained that the platform was developed to address common challenges faced by SMEs, including delayed payments, poor transaction visibility, and inefficient manual reconciliation processes.

Speaking on the solution, the bank noted that many Nigerian businesses continue to lose productive time and revenue opportunities due to outdated payment collection methods and fragmented financial processes.

It stated that FCMB Collect was built to provide businesses with a simpler, smarter way to manage collections while improving operational efficiency and customer experience.

The platform also provides merchants with unique virtual accounts linked to individual payers, enabling instant payment identification and easier transaction monitoring.

The bank added that businesses can gain real-time insights into their cash flow trend through analytics and reporting features designed to support better financial decision-making.

Industry observers noted that the continuous adoption of digital collection tools, such as FCMB Collect, reflects a growing shift among Nigerian businesses towards digital financial operations and cashless transaction systems.

They noted that SMEs increasingly require payment solutions that combine convenience, speed, security, and transparency to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving business environment.

The bank reiterated that FCMB Collect aligns with its vision of strengthening its position as an SME-friendly financial institution while helping businesses operate more confidently and professionally in today’s digital economy.

To get started or learn more, Click here or send a mail to smehelpdesk@fcmb.com for a Demo.

FCMB Collect – Smarter Digital Collections for Nigeria’s Growing Businesses

A married woman identified as Oluchi has been discovered in a hotel in Delta State after allegedly faking her own abduction and demanding a N50m ransom from her family.

Her children, including a daughter based in Canada, had earlier appealed to the public for help to raise the ransom, even as the supposed kidnappers reportedly reduced the demand to N20m.

The family had informed the police that Oluchi was kidnapped around the Ikpoba Hill area of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area in Edo State.

However, police investigations led a crack team to Delta State, where she was eventually found in a hotel with her lover.

A source said, “Police traced the number of the man to a hotel in Ubiaroko, Delta State. They met the man and the kidnapped woman inside a hotel. They called the husband, and he was happy. It was at the station that the police broke the news to him. The wife begged the husband not to tell her children what actually transpired.”

In a video shared online, her daughter Anita, who resides in Canada, expressed shock over the incident and said it had devastated the family.

According to her, “My mum has been released. My mum is involved in this kidnapping case. I only did what I did to save my mom. The family is in shock. This is not right. This has shattered my family. My dad has some health issues. This is so unfortunate. What did I do wrong?

“My reputation has been ruined. I am short of words. I am so mad. I have no hand in this. I never knew. I only wanted my mother back home. The law will take its course. I am sorry this is happening. I only did what any daughter would do. My family has been shattered.

“We were called that my mum has been released. We didn’t pay the kidnappers. The money is intact. We are going to make a refund. We involved the Police from the beginning. We now know it was not a real kidnapping. They said my mom is involved. They are having a relationship. The guy was traced. They had agreed to take what we already raised to N20m.”

The Harmony Ladies Club, a social group Anita belongs to, also issued a statement distancing itself from the incident.

The statement read, “When news of her alleged abduction broke, the club acted swiftly in good faith. Out of sisterhood, love, and a sense of community responsibility, we rallied immediately.

“Our members provided extensive emotional, logistical, and financial support during what we believed was a life-threatening crisis, carrying the heavy burden of anxiety alongside her family.

“It is with a profound sense of betrayal that we have now discovered, through investigations, that the entire kidnapping incident was staged by Mrs. Oluchi herself.”

The spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the incident, adding that four suspects have been arrested.

She said, “I can confirm the incident and also let you know that four people have also been arrested in connection with the incident.”

Police Find ‘Kidnapped’ Woman In Hotel With Lover is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Some Lagos State residents on Monday staged a peaceful protest at the State House of Assembly over the incarceration of a community leader in Ajiran, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the state, Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi.

DAILY POST reports that Akanbi is currently being detained over his alleged involvement in the death of Prince Ademola Akinloye and Sheriff Ishola Salami.

The legal team representing Akanbi had on Friday alleged bias in his ongoing trial, demanding a fresh and thorough investigation into the matter.

On Monday, a civil society group stormed the Lagos Assembly with placards, calling for the release of the community leader.

The protesters petitioned the Speaker of the Lagos Assembly, expressing concerns over the continuous detention of Akanbi and urging the authorities to “uphold the principles of justice, fairness and the rule of law”.

The group marched from Ikeja Shopping Mall to the State House of Assembly to deliver the letter.

According to them, investigations had allegedly failed to establish a direct connection between Akanbi and the murders, linking the matter to “disputes over community land and the distribution of proceeds from such lands”.

Copies of the petition were sent to the Governor of Lagos State, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission.

The CSO warned that if action is not taken within three days of receipt of the letter, it would embark on sustained street protests to press its demands.

Akanbi was apprehended in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on April 15, following the ongoing investigation into the murder cases.

Residents protest at Lagos Assembly over detention of community leader, Hammed Tajudeen

The Israeli military on Monday announced the killing of three senior commanders of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza.

In a statement posted on X, the Israel Defense Forces, IDF, said the operation targeted key figures involved in the group’s military activities and weapons development.

According to the IDF, those killed include Muhammad Atiya Hassan Abu Afash, who headed the Engineering and Specializations Array and was responsible for advancing the organization’s engineering capabilities.

The military also identified Farhat Zuhair Farhat Harara, the deputy head of the Engineering Array, as among those killed. The IDF described him as a close associate of Abu Afash who played a significant role in the unit’s operations.

Also killed was Abdallah Allah Riyad Masoud Qadoum, head of the Anti-Tank Missile Array in northern Gaza. The IDF alleged that Qadoum was involved in planning and carrying out numerous anti-tank missile attacks against Israeli troops.

The Israeli military said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to weaken the operational capabilities of armed groups in Gaza.

Israeli military eliminates three top Islamic Jihad commanders in Gaza